First Sunday Lunch brings community together in East Melbourne

By Katie Johnson

East Melbourne residents are coming together again for the First Sunday of the Month Lunch Club now that COVID restrictions have eased.

The club, which has been running since 1972, brings local residents together for lunch on the first Sunday of every month.

Lunch Club president Andrew Walpole said the lunch club was a great way of getting people together and “strengthening the community”.

“When people share food, they become family,” Mr Walpole said.

“It’s a long-running tradition in East Melbourne which has become even more important in the wake of COVID restrictions.”

Currently there are 140 members of the club and the lunch can have anywhere from 20 to 40 people turn up.

Traditionally the lunches are held in alternating member’s homes and each person brings a plate of food, however due to COVID restrictions, the most recent lunch was held outside.

“The last lunch we had in February was held in Powlett Reserve due to COVID restrictions but normally we would meet at someone’s house,” Mr Walpole said.

Originally the lunch began as a group of three East Melbourne residents in March of 1972, but due to the success, the club has grown significantly.

The lunches have also become an opportunity to share East Melbourne news, particularly from the East Melbourne Group, the East Melbourne Historical Society and the Neighbourhood Network.

Former president Jennifer Stanisich said the Lunch Club’s simplicity was the key to its success and provided residents the consistent opportunity to share food and conversation.

“I believe the Lunch Group is an important part of East Melbourne, as a vibrant social

group that is open to a range of people in the community, married, single, fit or frail

who enjoy and support each other,” Ms Stanisich said.

“It also gives newcomers a chance to meet new people and join in the community.”

Ms Stanisich also said that hosting the events in members houses gave residents the opportunity to explore their neighbourhood.

In the past few years before COVID, there have been the erection of several new apartments in East Melbourne, and several members have shifted into them,” Ms Stanisich said.

“This has created great interest to other members, when the new owners later hosted, especially as they were encouraged to join in guided tours by their hosts.” •