![Peter Rittman with Davidson, Nixsyn, Tevelle, and Tanille at lunch. Pictures: Phillip Biggs Peter Rittman with Davidson, Nixsyn, Tevelle, and Tanille at lunch. Pictures: Phillip Biggs](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/rJYMCBtgZ6tPW9SEJHL7c7/1143c508-3b31-4de6-a66c-46a6ab225ebc.jpg/r0_0_4200_2800_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Albert Hall may not have been as full as previous years, but the Christmas joy was still in abundance with a smaller crowd to celebrate Christmas.
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The Launceston City Community Christmas event provides members of the community, who may otherwise be alone or unable to celebrate the holidays, a place to go and enjoy a traditional Christmas lunch.
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The event, which has run for the last five years, is a collaborative work from The St. Vincent de Paul Society, City Mission, The Salvation Army, CatholicCare Tasmania, the Launceston Benevolent Society, and the City of Launceston.
St. Vincent de Paul Society's chief executive officer Lara Alexander said the greatest meaning of the event this year was hope.
"It means a bit of sunshine and a bit of joy for people at Christmas time, and especially for those people that may otherwise struggle to have a really nice meal at Christmas," she said.
![Launceston City Community Christmas helpers Melissa White and Anita Reeveat. Launceston City Community Christmas helpers Melissa White and Anita Reeveat.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/rJYMCBtgZ6tPW9SEJHL7c7/3f1a6ced-d15f-43b1-942c-8c38877a3e71.jpg/r0_56_4200_2791_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"It's an opportunity to be able to meet other people and have companionship at this time of the year which is difficult for some."
Heath Nash, of Launceston, said he did not know what he would have done Christmas Day without the event as times have been tough for the family.
"When I asked my eldest son Samuel what he wanted for Christmas he said, 'just for the family to be happy and together'."
"So to see them smiling and seeing how happy they are today, I couldn't ask for anything more. All I wanted was for my kids to be happy."
The event did not just warm stomachs and hearts but made children smile with a special appearance from Santa, who brought presents for all the good boys and girls.
Lucky door prizes, carols, crackers and tinsel all added to the festive cheer within the hall too.
![Heath Nash with Samuel, Angel, Xavier and Saxon. Heath Nash with Samuel, Angel, Xavier and Saxon.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/rJYMCBtgZ6tPW9SEJHL7c7/42608231-8a9b-4c3f-8487-30c05ed24ce8.jpg/r0_0_2790_4196_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The event was capped at 250 people this year but last year saw nearly 600 people in attendance.
Launceston Benevolent Society chief executive officer Rodney Spinks said they did not know whether the event would run this year but was glad it was still able to go ahead.
"Just to be able to still put it on [is great], particularly for our clients because a lot don't have anywhere to go on Christmas Day," he said.
"It's very important on the calendar for Launceston."
Mr Spinks said it was great to work with other charities to host the event.