With a little help from our friends

Volunteers from the community, corporate and political worlds rolled up their sleeves on Christmas Day to help Mission Australia spread seasonal cheer to disadvantaged Australians.

In Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, Acting Prime Minister Wayne Swan got into the spirit of the day at Mission Australia’s Café One on Wickham by serving up Christmas breakfast to guests who had experienced hard times during 2011.

One guest, Kylie, told The Australian that the whipped-cream covered pancakes Mr Swan served up were "exquisite". Mr Swan later Tweeted about his experience and posted a photo of himself with fellow Café One volunteers and staff:

“Joined the crew at @missionaust's Cafe One in Fortitude Valley to help serve Xmas brekky to those doing it a bit tough yfrog.com/kitlfcpij.”

Mission Australia Acting Operations Manager Rachel Watson said the Christmas feast at Café One had become an annual highlight for regular inner-city clients. "(It's) food they wouldn't normally be getting on Christmas morning if they were sleeping rough," Ms Watson said.

Later that day in Perth, more than 500 community and corporate volunteers helped make Christmas memorable for the city’s isolated and disadvantaged at Mission Australia’s 36th Christmas Lunch in the Park.

About 1,600 guests were treated to a traditional Christmas lunch in a huge air-conditioned marquee in Wellington Square, and were entertained by the Spirits of the Street Choir, whose members are from disadvantaged backgrounds.

And thanks to the generosity of our supporters, guests also received a Christmas gift and enjoyed great company – including that of West Australian Governor Malcolm McCusker and his wife Tonya (pictured chatting with guests). More photos from the lunch can be found on our Facebook page.

In Bellambi, New South Wales, Mission Australia hosted a Christmas Day breakfast to celebrate the work of Big Heart Enterprises volunteers and help make Christmas merrier for local people who would have otherwise have spent the day alone.

"The thought of them spending Christmas alone was saddening, and they give so much to us it is the least we can do," Service Manager Justine Fitzgibbon told The Illawarra Mercury.

"They volunteer with us, so we are their family. Many of them don't have family close by to share Christmas with,” she added. “Because so many things were donated from local businesses we opened the breakfast up to the whole community.”

Heartfelt thanks to all of our partners, supporters and volunteers who helped make Christmas 2011 a little brighter for thousands of Australians.

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VIDEO: Mission Australia Lunch in the Park