December 6, 2024
The annual Mayor’s Community Lunch attracted more than 180 diners to Kingaroy Town Hall on Friday to help celebrate Christmas.
However, the real people who will be celebrating are the South Burnett families and individuals who will benefit from the funds raised at the event.
Guests paid $25 a head for tickets to the lunch, which included a two-course meal prepared and served up by volunteers from the QCWA.
Entertainment was provided by The Shedders from Nanango, led by Deputy Mayor Jane Erkens who also conned her fellow councillors up on stage at one point to join her in “Silent Night”.
After lunch was served, professional vocalist Julee-anne Bell showed what singing is really about when she wowed the crowd with two relatively unknown songs – “Grateful” by John Bucchino and “Love Is Christmas” by Sara Bareilles – but only after she took to the stage as the special guest speaker.
Julee-anne recounted her journey from schooldays to her internet-breaking performance on The Voice, and all the twists and turns along the way.
And she shared her motto: “Feel the fear and do it anyway!”
Mayor Kathy Duff said the funds raised from the lunch would help the most vulnerable people in the community.
Food vouchers would be given to service providers “at the coal face” to distribute, including Graham House, South Burnett CTC and South Burnett Care.
Mayor Duff thanked the many businesses which had supported the day, including Sunpork and Peries IGA Kingaroy.
There was also a massive raffle with more than 70 prizes – all donated by local businesses.
“I am hoping … that we can help to put a smile on some faces and help to take some pressure off those struggling families over the Christmas period,” Mayor Duff said.
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UPDATE December 16: The lunch raised $6000, with all proceeds being donated to South Burnett families as IGA food vouchers. Council would like to thank the supporters and sponsors of the lunch: QCWA, Swickers, Peries IGA Kingaroy, BCF, Betta Electrical, Bega, Bunnings, Christene Nissen & Associates, Coppards, South Burnett CTC, Deb Frecklington MP, Dominos, Elray Jewellers, Framed with Style, Trish Erkens, Good Price Pharmacy, Harvey Norman, Hunter Gatherer Trader, Huston Motors, Jamaica Blue, Kingaroy RSL, Little Butcher, Muffin Break, Sport First, Wholelife Chemist and Sunshine Mitre 10.
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