Luncheon Clubs last supper
In a shock announcement on Monday, The Luncheon Club's founder and backbone, Carole Ann King, announced that the grass roots charity would cease operating as of today, with its official final luncheon.
While the Luncheon Club as always been based around a dedicated group of people providing a safe, nurturing and supportive environment for people living with HIV/AIDS, it announced it could no longer viably run the services needed to continue. Instead the regular services of Luncheon Club have been handed over to The Bobby Goldsmith Foundation and ACON in partnership.
"Times were very different 15 years ago for people living with HIV/AIDS, antiretroviral were yet to be introduced, many people were very sick and death rates were very high. The luncheons provided a great way to end the isolation and entertainment fed their souls," says founder, Carole Ann King.
King and her army of dedicated volunteers, who have become nothing short of a caring family, will be sadly missed on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Luncheon Club centre in waterloo.
"There are many valuable services to assist people living with HIV/AIDS and the Luncheon Club will be in good hands with BGF and ACON. I'm very proud to have established a service that so many people have needed over the years," says King.
Time Out Sydney has long been aware of Kings amazing work and were fortunate enough to honour her along side Sir Elton John two weeks ago prior to Monday's announcement.
We wish Carole Anne and the entire Luncheon Club family our best wishes and our deepest gratitude for their tireless commitment to Sydney's HIV / AIDS community.
We look forward to seeing Luncheon Club's tradition continue under the guidance of BGF and ACON.