About 70 people gathered at the Mundoolun Community Centre earlier this month for the first community dinner of the year, an event aimed at bringing locals together for an affordable night out.
The dinner on Sunday, 8 March was organised by centre coordinator Raj Aggarwal and volunteers, who prepared a full meal and hosted entertainment for the evening.
Mr Aggarwal said the idea behind the dinners was to create a welcoming space where people could share a meal, meet neighbours and spend time together without the high cost often associated with dining out.
“It’s about bringing people together,” he said.
“For a family of four to go out for dinner now, you can easily say goodbye to $200.
“Not everyone has that.”
Guests paid $7 to attend and were served a three-course meal that included a bread roll with garlic butter, a roast dinner with pork or chicken and vegetables, and sticky date pudding with ice cream.
The evening also featured a game of bingo with prizes.
Mr Aggarwal said the food was cooked by volunteers, including himself and a friend, helping to keep the cost low while still offering a full meal.
Local leaders also attended the dinner, including Logan Mayor Jon Raven and Member for Waterford Shannon Fentiman.
Mr Aggarwal said having community leaders present helped strengthen the connection between residents and their elected representatives.
“When leaders show up to community events like this, it gives people confidence that they’re connected to the community,” he said.
The centre can accommodate up to 120 people, and organisers hope attendance will continue to grow as the program develops.
Mr Aggarwal said he hoped to run regular dinners at the centre every month and that future events could also support fundraising for local charities and community groups.
