December 28, 2025 · Brimbank Park Vic A perfect summer’s day graced Melbourne on December 28th, with clear blue skies and a comfortable temperature of 28 degrees Celsius. Occasional cool breezes whispered through the trees of Brimbank Park, providing delightful relief and making the setting ideal for Yen Ming Temple’s annual Christmas BBQ and Fellowship Gathering. The scene was set early by a dedicated team of volunteers. Arriving at 8am, they worked diligently to prepare the area: setting up a spacious marquee over the public barbecues, giving the grills a thorough clean, and tidying the surrounding grounds for the anticipated guests. By 11 am, members and friends began to arrive, their arms laden with contributions. While the Temple provided a foundation of food, the true feast was a magnificent communal effort. The long wooden tables beneath the picnic shelter transformed into a breathtaking buffet, overflowing with homemade culinary delights. There was an incredible array: sandwiches of all kinds, delicate sushi rolls, fresh and colourful salads, succulent chicken wings, sizzling sausages, roasted chicken, seasoned beef patties, hamburgers, pizzas, an assortment of seafood, decadent cakes, vibrant fresh fruit, and an assortment of refreshing drinks. The abundance was a joyful testament to the community’s spirit. To officially commence the festivities, The head of the Temple - Dharma Assistant Yue Hua called everyone together. She warmly welcomed all attendees, expressing her happiness at seeing so many faces gathered in fellowship. She extended heartfelt thanks to the volunteers whose hard work and cooperation made the …
December 28, 2025 · Brimbank Park Vic
A perfect summer’s day graced Melbourne on December 28th, with clear blue skies and a comfortable temperature of 28 degrees Celsius. Occasional cool breezes whispered through the trees of Brimbank Park, providing delightful relief and making the setting ideal for Yen Ming Temple’s annual Christmas BBQ and Fellowship Gathering.
The scene was set early by a dedicated team of volunteers. Arriving at 8am, they worked diligently to prepare the area: setting up a spacious marquee over the public barbecues, giving the grills a thorough clean, and tidying the surrounding grounds for the anticipated guests.
By 11 am, members and friends began to arrive, their arms laden with contributions. While the Temple provided a foundation of food, the true feast was a magnificent communal effort. The long wooden tables beneath the picnic shelter transformed into a breathtaking buffet, overflowing with homemade culinary delights. There was an incredible array: sandwiches of all kinds, delicate sushi rolls, fresh and colourful salads, succulent chicken wings, sizzling sausages, roasted chicken, seasoned beef patties, hamburgers, pizzas, an assortment of seafood, decadent cakes, vibrant fresh fruit, and an assortment of refreshing drinks. The abundance was a joyful testament to the community’s spirit.
To officially commence the festivities, The head of the Temple – Dharma Assistant Yue Hua called everyone together. She warmly welcomed all attendees, expressing her happiness at seeing so many faces gathered in fellowship. She extended heartfelt thanks to the volunteers whose hard work and cooperation made the seamless event possible.
Following her sincere words, the group gathered for a cheerful commemorative photograph, capturing the smiling faces against the lush park backdrop. With that, the shared meal began. Laughter and conversation filled the air as people served themselves, shared stories, and enjoyed the spectacular spread under the cool shelter.
After everyone was happily satisfied, the energy shifted to games, expertly facilitated by Dharma Brother Kar Wei. The activities were engaging and full of laughter, bringing both children and adults together in friendly competition. Winners of the games were awarded prizes, adding to the excitement. In a kind gesture of appreciation, every single participant also received a small gift to take home, ensuring no one left empty-handed.
In the end, Dharma Brother Paul Lin and his wife handed out their kindly prepared wonderful gift bags to the children. Those gifts were both beautifully presented and thoughtfully practical.
As the clock neared 3 pm, the gathering slowly drew to a close. The park was cleaned and restored, leaving no trace of the day’s festivities except for the warm memories. With heartfelt goodbyes and a shared sense of contentment, everyone departed, reluctantly leaving behind a day marked by delicious food, joyful games, and most importantly, wonderful fellowship. It was a truly memorable summer celebration of community and connection.
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