Sunday Lunch at St. George's
For many years St. George's East Ivanhoe. with the assistance of community volunteers has conducted a monthly Sunday lunch for pensioners, shut-ins and anyone who would enjoy the company of others over a community lunch. Over recent years the church has been required to upgrade its kitchen facilities to accord with current health and safety standards and we have very much appreciated financial support granted by the City of Banyule which has allowed this important work to continue.

If you are interested in being involved in the continuance of this rewarding project, please contact the Vicar.

Special report - Christmas in July


Congratulations to Thelma and George Gray for the Ivanhoe Certificate of Appreciation Award 2008 which was presented to them at the November 2008 Sunday Lunch by Craig Langdon MLA

The award acknowledges their contribution to the community through their work for the Sunday Lunch since the completion of the new kitchen in mid 2006.

Thelma and George Gray have given outstanding and loyal service in coordinating the monthly Sunday Lunch arrangements at St George's for 2 years (2007-2008). Theirs has been a regular commitment of high quality work in organising a 3 course hot roast meal for 70-80 older citizens in Banyule who live alone.

Although Thelma and George have been involved with the Sunday Lunch since its inception (around 1992), following the refurbishment and upgrade of the Church's kitchen to commercial standard they took on the coordination of meal provision each month.

Provision of the lunch involves 3 days of work comprising buying the food,preparing the food and cooking it, serving it and finally cleaning up at the end of the day. They also supervise a group of kitchen staff and servers (including students from the Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar School).

All of this has been done in a purely voluntary capacity.

St.George's East Ivanhoe says "well done and many congratulations" to George and Thelma.

Rosemary Cotter
Jagajaga Community Australia Day Awards 26 January 2009

George and Thelma Gray with the Vicar and Jenny Macklin MP Federal Member for Jagajaga (Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs) at the Jagajaga Community Australia Day Awards presentation. The citation for the Gray's award read:
George and Thelma Gray have played a central role in the St George's Anglican Church Sunday Lunch Club for the past fifteen years.  The Lunch Club proves a monthly three course lunch and an opportunity for fellowship and social interaction for people aged 60 to 90.  George and Thelma have been the Principal coordinators of the lunch service for the past two years.  They order the food, do the shopping, complete the preparation and cook the three course meal for many grateful people every month. They continue to do a remarkable job with great willingness and dedication.