Christmas lunch strikes a chord

Community spirit and sharing the joy of Christmas are important to Hugh Gordon.

Each year, he grabs his guitar and thrills crowds with live performances at Samaritans Christmas lunches in Newcastle.

“I first started doing it in the late 1990s in Civic Park. A couple of years later, Samaritans came on board and I’ve been involved ever since then,” Hugh says.

“Playing and sharing music on Christmas Day is just a wonderful thing to do, so I’ve always prioritised it.”

A Student Music Coordinator at the University of Newcastle, Hugh connects with fellow performers in the lead-up to Christmas Day to prepare their repertoire and rehearse some of the carols.

They then set up the sound system and conduct checks to ensure everything is ready to go ahead of the event.

Hugh says interacting with the audience on Christmas Day and feeling their energy creates a special atmosphere.

“I usually get people up to sing and play the tambourine. It’s a sharing day. Live performing is as much about the audience participation – it all adds to the music,” he says.

“In the early 2000s, I had my own little kids so it was special for them to be involved. When they got a bit older, they’d get up and sing with me.

“We’ve also had a range of performers, including people who have been on [reality TV show] The Voice.

“Last year was great as well. We had three girls from the university who got up and sang.”

Hugh considers himself fortunate to have been involved in the Christmas lunches and plans to continue for as long as possible.

“Every year has its special moments and I think that’s why you keep coming back because there’s always something special that happens,” he says.

“It’s a real honour to be a part of it.”