An initiative started by a Lightning Ridge newcomer six years ago has been on a mission to combat loneliness in the community. Last week, it received a state award, hailing success in supporting mental and social well being. 

Rata Jackson moved to Lightning Ridge six years ago, knowing no one and preparing herself for a lonely Christmas. 

It was then that she had the idea to hold an ‘orphans Christmas’ at the local bowling club, welcoming everyone in the community spending the day alone to gather around a table of free food and good company. 

“On Christmas Day there’s nothing open. So I thought if I could get something started at least they could have some reprieve from the heat on Christmas Day as well as a feed,” Ms Jackson said. 

“The club gives me the premises and I have a heap of volunteers. We have entertainment and a great lunch, and it’s all for free,” she said. 

While the community was hesitant of the initiative at first, it soon found its momentum.

“Initially in the first year they didn’t think it would happen. There were rumours going around that we were charging $50 a head,” Ms Jackson said. 

“We had 65 people and that included volunteers. This last year we had almost 300 people with about 50 volunteers,” she said. 

The most recent Christmas looked slightly different, with Lightning Ridge being one of the most flood affected towns in the region, with high water levels isolating the community.

“Before we opened the doors to the public for Christmas lunch, we helicoptered out almost 500 containers of food for the SES workers in the flooded areas,” Ms Jackson said. 

The initiative has landed the Lightning RIdge Bowling Club an award for Mental and Social Well being in the 2022 NSW Clubs and Community Awards Night.

ClubsNSW CEO Josh Landis said clubs haven’t let the challenges of the past year stop them from making their communities better places to live. 

“I was blown away by the calibre of this year’s award nominations. From delivering care packages and offering virtual entertainment to members during lockdown, to teaching refugees how to drive and cooking meals for those less fortunate, clubs all over the state have worked tirelessly to look after their members and the wider community,” Mr Landis said. 

For Ms Jackson, the choice to fill the need she saw was obvious. 

“I love Lightning Ridge and I’m happy to be a part of the community and help where I can.”