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One of the truly great Port Macquarie traditions, the popular Christmas on the Beach lunch, has come to an end.
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Organised by Karen and Max Davies, the event was part of our tradition for some 15 years starting with the couple throwing open the doors on their home to anyone who was alone on Christmas Day. Three people attended.
Last year’s event catered for over 800 people on Town Beach.
The couple are devastated they cannot continue to provide the lunch.
“It just came from the heart (the inspiration) and it grew and grew,” Mrs Davies said.
“It is with great sadness that the decision has been made not to run Christmas on the Beach this year.
“Every effort has been made to find alternative arrangements to run the day. We have contacted Port Macquarie-Hastings Council and other community organisations hoping they can find a way that the event can go ahead.
“No solutions have been found and it is now too late to organise anything for this Christmas.”
Mrs Davies said the event has grown to the extent that they are no longer able to carry the demands of running such a big event.
Mr Davies described the day as ‘a wonderful event that has touched many lives in the community’.
“Not only the lives of the guests but of the organisers, volunteers and supporters,” he said.
We are hopeful that someone will pick up the reins of the event for next year. We will provide all our resources to anyone wishing to see the day go ahead in the future.
- Karen and Max Davies
“We are hopeful that someone will pick up the reins of the event for next year. We will provide all our resources to anyone wishing to see the day go ahead in the future.”
Christmas on the Beach attracts support through Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, local businesses and kind-hearted volunteers who give their time and energy.
“The event has been embraced by the city and the community,” Mrs Davies said.
“It is a wonderful day where the true spirit of Christmas has been on display.”
While the Christmas on the Beach will not be held this year, the popular Christmas Breakfast on the Beach will continue from 7.30am until 10.30am.
Organised through The Big Red Bus, the breakfast is in its eighth year on Town Beach.
The event includes breakfast and a place to enjoy good company on Christmas morning, custodian Ian Rosendahl said.
“If you’d like to come and hang out with us we’d love to see you there,” he said.
“There will be lots of good food and plenty of hot drinks. It’s all free and everyone is welcome: young or old, alone or with family.
“This is the first year that the Bus breakfast won’t be followed by the Big Lunch, and we will miss the presence of the Port City crew setting up beside us.
“A big shout out to them for all they have done over the last seven years and more,” Mr Rosendahl said.