Mind you, the cancellation this year of the Southlake Christmas Spectacular at the showground, and carols at Bonnells Bay, did have some of us worried.

Then came the news in the Lakes Mail that the annual Christmas Day lunch, hosted by Southlakes Carers at Morisset Multi-Purpose Centre, might have to be cancelled, too.

For six years, Southlakes Carers had hosted the lunch for about 100 mostly elderly locals who would otherwise spend the day alone.

Well, that was too much. That’s when the locals stepped in to put things right.

Southlakes Carers manager Vivienne Bruce this week said the Christmas Day lunch had been saved.

“It’s great to see there are so many people in this community who want to make this event happen,” she said.

Since the Lakes Mail article was published, Ms Bruce has received a number of calls from locals offering whatever they could to help resurrect the lunch.

Among them, she said, was local businessman and developer, Francois Shamley, and Jenenne Golden, a local with professional cooking experience.

The pair are joining forces and compiling a team to cater for the function.

And then there was Lake Macquarie Evangelical Church, Morisset Rotary, Morisset and Toronto Meals on Wheels, and a bunch of regular sponsors who pitched in to make it all happen. 

Ms Bruce said she was grateful for the response, and she praised Mr Shamley for his many contributions to the community.

“Francois really does have a heart of gold,” she said.

“There are some things that he does for this community that people don’t even known about.

“And the church was so happy to be able to help.”

For the first time, local musical duo The Rough Diamonds will perform.

Ms Bruce said the non-denominational lunch had been in danger due to the retirement of the professional couple who had catered the event so well for the past five years.

There are vacancies for about another 20 or 30 diners at the lunch. Book with a $10 deposit on 4973 3855 by December 19.