May 25th, 2025The 5000 Club
On just about every Friday for the past 14 years, Hepburn Shire locals have shared delicious home-cooked meals and companionship, located for the past six years at Daylesford’s Victoria Park Pavilion.
Of course, it is only possible thanks to the volunteers of the Daylesford 5000 Club and generous donations from local businesses, as well as grants from the Community Bank Daylesford District, the Rotary Club of Daylesford and Hepburn Shire Council.
Each week our volunteers, some of whom have been with the 5000 Club since it started all those years ago, work tirelessly to create a thoughtful, tasty and nutritious three-course meal for up to 50 people.
The lunches are prepared with love, including the special touches that make all the difference – colourful tablecloths, background music, beautiful floral arrangements (thank you Kristy from Wombat Hill Florist) and, most importantly, a warm smile and welcome to make everyone who walks through the doors each Friday feel cared for.
I initially volunteered to help out as the affectionately coined ‘dish pig’, filling in for a friend and tasked with washing the dishes and being a general kitchen hand. I loved it so much that I stayed on.
The banter in the kitchen is joyous, as is the laughter and chatter coming from a full house of locals sharing friendship and a delicious meal.
The volunteers in the dining room operate like a well-oiled machine – serving soup, mains and dessert with the care they would show to their own families at home. They even make sure that those who arrive a little late always have a meal. It’s non-stop in the kitchen but everyone pitches in to make sure that it is left spotless for the next community group to use.
The 5000 Club was founded by local Loretta Little and the Daylesford Uniting Church, to help support those experiencing financial hardship or social isolation, which is still very much the focus.
But importantly, everyone is welcome, and the weekly luncheon has grown into a fabulous community gathering where people from all walks of life, all ages and backgrounds come together to share a meal and each other’s company.
Connecting our community through food and love
It’s become a meeting place for the local Men’s Shed fellas, the table tennis crew who play locally each Friday, and local faces that have really become the heart and soul of the 5000 Club.
Locals including Raman and Pat treat the guests to Indian and paella feasts. Our local greengrocers Tonna’s, generous community members and businesses, and local farmers all help to keep the club going with donations.
And it wouldn’t happen without Sandy Breen working tirelessly each week guiding the ship and bringing it all together as the president.
Of course, like any of the incredible community initiatives we have in our region, the dedicated volunteers make it happen week after week. If you can spare a few hours on a Friday or even a few hours a month, the 5000 Club would love to welcome you.
Every set of hands helps and you will be volunteering in an environment that connects people over food and love. Call Sandy on 0419 880 220 for further information.
– Volunteer Narelle Groenhout
