Give to the Christmas Bowl! 

  Click the image above to download the 2008 Christmas Bowl Poster! (560KB)

About the Christmas Bowl

Sixty years ago, the Reverend Frank Byatt of Victoria had a simple vision. On Christmas day 1949, he placed an empty bowl on the dinner table and asked all present to give what they considered to be the cost of the meal.

Frank urged his guests to reflect on their good fortunes and encouraged them to do something selfless for the people around the world who are victims of disease, poverty and violence. This small but significant gesture of charity has resonated deeply with thousands of Australians and has shown that we all have the ability to make a difference, no matter how small the gift. The very first Christmas Bowl only raised ₤1,808, but has now reached over $2 million each year.

Sixty years on, Frank’s vision has grown tremendously. As the world has changed significantly since 1949, the Christmas Bowl has had to grow to meet new challenges. Today, the funds raised assist the domestic and international partners of act for peace, the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia. act for peace works in partnership to reduce poverty, protect refugees, prevent conflicts and empower communities.

By giving to the Christmas Bowl, we can achieve an international sense of togetherness through working with churches and communities in Australia and in conflict-affected areas worldwide. On the 60 year anniversary of Frank Byatt’s Christmas Bowl, please consider the importance of sharing and what it means for the lives of others. As can be seen by how the Christmas Bowl has grown, a small gesture like Frank’s can make an enormous difference.

If you would like to act for peace by giving to the Christmas Bowl today, please click the button below.

 NOTE: If you do not have the latest version of Adobe Reader please click the button below to download.

2008 Christmas Bowl Kit!

Please click the images below to download the 60th Anniversary Christmas Bowl Resources.

Information Sheet (392 KB)

 Stories & Activities (1.77MB)

 Worship Resources (0.98 MB)

Clip Art (902KB)

Other Resources:

Supplementary Notes for 2008 Christmas Bowl Worship Resources (0.44MB)

Power Point Presentations

2008 Chritsmas Bowl Power Point Presentation (3.54MB) >> Click here to download

Empower Communities- East Timor (3.07 MB)

Reduce Poverty- Zimbabwe (1.76 MB)

Protect Refugees- Thai-Burma Border (3.28 MB)

Prevent & Resolve Conflicts- Sudan (1.33 MB)

Media Releases

October 2008 Christmas Bowl Media Release: The Gift That Keeps Giving >>Click here to view

November 2008 Christmas Bowl Media Release: Everyone's Eyes on Burma >> Click here to view

2008 Christmas Bowl Events Calendar >> Click here to view 

How is Assistance delivered?

Assistance is delivered through partnership programs in regions affected by extreme poverty and ongoing conflict. Our partnership’s are primarily relationships with existing church councils in Australia and around the world who implement aid and development programs on the ground. Some partnerships are with existing civil society organisations such as the Thai-Burma Border Consortium which provides shelter and essential services to over 140,000 Burmese refugees. act for peace is in constant consultation with these partners, communicating and striving to find effective ways of working together to ensure the best assisstance is delivered. 

These partnerships bring local knowledge, experience and essential communication skills. Transformation can begin within a community, rather than being introduced form the outside. Communities in Sudan, Timor-Leste and Zimbabwe are just three areas that are experiencing this ‘inside-out’ transformation and are gaining access to resources previously only dreamt of. The maintenance of these act for peace partnerships is vital so community transformation can continue throughout the world.

We help provide strong and unique programs which aim to break the poverty and conflict cycles which prevent communities from achieving real and lasting peace. Through mutual learning opportunities between act for peace and our partners we can create a partnership for development that is characterised by pride, integrity and cultural awareness. The Christmas Bowl helps reduce extreme poverty, prevent & resolve conflicts, protect refugees and empower communities. By working specifically on these four vital areas we can improve the lives of so many in the greatest need. Please act for peace and give to the Christmas Bowl.

Why is the work of Christmas Bowl important?

Responding to the teachings of Jesus Christ, we come together to break down the structures of poverty, oppression, injustice, and division. Recognising its accountability to God and to the human family, Christmas Bowl will create and fully utilize opportunities for the Christian Churches to work together. Working through the Christmas Bowl we stand with those experiencing oppression and injustice.

Christmas Bowl Queries?

Please contact Edwyn Shiell at christmasbowl@ncca.org.au or on free-call 1800 025 101 if you have any questions or comments or if you require a hard copy of this year's Christmas Bowl Kit!