JASA
The Jane Austen Society of Australia Inc.
Jane Austen’s Birthday & Christmas Lunch
At the end of every year JASA holds a lunch at a central Sydney location, on the Saturday closest to Jane Austen’s birth date, 16 December. There is always some form of musical or theatrical entertainment, and this event gives members an opportunity to exchange Christmas greetings as well as celebrating the birth of their favourite novelist and another wonderful year of Austen study and enjoyment through the Society.
JASA has provided a great variety of entertainments at this event – we have listened to harp recitals (à la Mary Crawford), had MP Tanya Plibersek tell us how reading Jane Austen has changed and shaped her life, watched one-woman performances about Jane Austen’s Life, celebrated Jane Austen with other authors (Robert Burns, Georgette Heyer, etc), and cheered on debaters and quiz show participants.
The event always raises a toast to Jane Austen!
Lunch, celebrating Christmas as well as Jane Austen’s birthday, is always a great occasion – great venues, good food, interesting guest speakers or musical entertainment. A lovely feeling of bonhomie flows through the room, concluding a wonderful and stimulating year of all things JANE.”
The annual JASA Christmas lunch is a highlight in my calendar. Spirits are high and we always enjoy a delicious lunch and the equally delicious company. I firmly believe that Jane Austen brings good people together and this event is a shining example.”
I never miss the JASA Lunch. It is such a joy to celebrate Jane’s birthday and the end of another wonderful JASA year with my JASA friends.”