Pearls Place the social cafe based in the Masonic Centre, Pambula celebrated three years of operation on Wednesday, June 6 with a roast lamb and birthday cake for everyone who came along.
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Around 35 people attended including Perth to Pambula runner Dane Waites who was also celebrating his own birthday.
Pearls Place president Kate Smith said that numbers start to go up in winter as people appreciate a hot meal.
“It’s a welcoming and normal experience for anyone who comes here. We don’t ask questions, everyone is welcome,” Ms Smith said.
There’s a lot of love in this room.
- President of Pearls Place Kate Smith
While some may be going through tough times and appreciate the hot meal and opportunity of a take away meal as well, donations, which are not obligatory, sometimes tell a different story. Others may simply enjoy the social interaction and a chance to chat and wish to give back through the donation tin.
“There’s a lot of love in this room,” Ms Smith observed as the meals were delivered to tables and while visitors sat and chatted with each other.
Ms Smith said that their group of highly qualified chefs had also introduced an international flavour to the lunches providing a chance for people to experience different cuisines.
“It’s a chance to try something different and we always seem to get empty plates,” she said.
Ms Smith thanked the many volunteers and chefs and the numerous people and organisations who supported and donated towards the cause; people such as Brigitte Kestermann who makes around 25 servings of cake or dessert every fortnight for Pearls Place and tai chi leader Shirley McLenn who takes a class at 11.30am prior to lunch.
Ms McLenn is a Southern NSW Local Health District tai chi volunteer.
“A couple of people have done it before but not many and I’m very pleased with the way they’ve taken to it. There are some people with medical problems and improving their balance is helpful,” she said.
Sue Horton was representing the Mumbulla Foundation which has donated significant funds that have been used for kitchen equipment, fridges, a freezer and shelving.
One man’s story
John Glenn lives in Bemboka and has been coming to Pearls Place since it opened three years ago.
John lives alone and has diabetes.
Asked what he liked about Pearls Place, he said that it was “free and pretty natural, relaxed”.
He said it was a bit of a treat to get a hot meal and admitted that he would not cook anything like that for himself.
Whenever possible the team at Pearls Place try to ensure that John leaves with some take away food that will ensure extra nourishment during the week.
He has no transport and relies on getting a lift to and from the cafe; his transport is partly funded through the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme).
John isn’t a big talker but volunteers at Pearls Place and support workers say that he has benefited from the regular visits to Pearls Place and the interaction with other people.
