And at Chrismas it takes that idea to the next level.
The popular gaming group is open to all, and provides a safe space for like-minded people to play card and board games in a relaxed social setting.
Last Christmas, one of its members, Andrea Box, came up with the idea of opening on Christmas Day to provide a welcome place for those with nowhere to go.
Whether for someone living alone, or someone who couldn’t make it to visit family, the idea was to celebrate the festive season together.
She couldn’t have predicted its level of success — and the event is set to be even bigger this year.
“This started because last year, me and my husband knew that we weren't going to be able to get back to Melbourne to see our families,” Andrea said.
“We wanted to try and do something here, like an orphan’s Christmas.
“Our initial thought was that if we could have access to the RATT rooms and if anyone else, RATT members or their families, wanted to come down and hang out and do something chilled and relaxed instead of the usual Christmas fare that some people do, we’d arrange it.”
Andrea said that once the idea was floated, it snowballed.
“It exploded into this giant thing. It was incredible,” she said.
“The generosity shown by people around town, not only individuals, but businesses, was really humbling.
“We had various people sign up. Some of our own members turned up, and we had some people from the Benalla Homelessness Response Group.
“It was just various people who didn’t have anywhere to go for Christmas.
“We also had people volunteer their time to help out as well. People who we’d never met, but were keen to help out.
“We thought we were putting on a thing for people who had nowhere to go at Christmas.
“But it turned out to be more than that, and we also had people who needed something to do on Christmas, for various reasons.
“There were a couple of people who, because of certain circumstances, had a really tragic year.
“They wanted to do something to take their minds off the loss they were suffering.
“That wasn’t something we had thought about, but it turns out that some people need something to do on Christmas to occupy themselves.”
On the day there were around 26 people who attended and Andrea, and RATT president Carla Gardner, expect a higher number this year.
“We only had limited time to throw something together last year,” Carla said.
“We didn’t do any advertising until two, maybe three weeks before the event.”
With the expectation that there will be higher numbers of people attend this year, Andrea and Carla are in negotiations for a larger venue.
“We have some ideas, and we’re waiting on a grant from Benalla Rural City Council,” Carla said.
Once the venue is confirmed, there will be a follow-up article in the Ensign and RATT members will put up flyers around Benalla.
Unfortunately, the sponsor of last years’ event is unable to do it again this year.
As such, Carla and Andrea are on the lookout for sponsors for this year’s event.
If you are in a position to be a sponsor, or if you might like to attend, you can find out more via Room at the Table’s Facebook page.
Alternatively, you can email benalla@roomatthetable.org or call 4804 6699.
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