Atime-honoured yearly custom for dozens of revellers continued outside the former Tantanoola cheese factory on Christmas Day.

They enjoyed each other’s company, downed a few cold beverages and raised some money for charity.

Known as the Once-a-Year Club, it is strictly for adult males only and runs between 11am and 1pm.

In the post-war years, local farmers would deliver milk to the factory on Christmas morning and then stay on for a few hours of socialising.

Truck driver Keith Sneath and dairy farmers Tal Chant, Brian Johnson, Max Johnson and Les Burdon decided to form the club in 1960.

After seven decades of operation, the factory ceased making cheese in 1965 but the yearly gatherings have continued on the roadside verge.

Mr Sneath was elected club president in 1960 and has remained in the role to this day.

He is currently at the helm of the Lions Club of Beachport and Rivoli Bay having previously been president of the Mount Gambier Racing Club, Tantanoola Football Club, Millicent Racing Club and Mid South East Football League.

The names of the Once-a-Year Club members are painted on a board attached to an exterior wall of the stone buildings on Poonada Road.

According to long-serving club secretary Bruce Bawden, the club has a charitable purpose and gives away significant sums from staging raffles.

“We support local causes and people from Tantanoola and district who need assistance,” he said.

“It could be they are unwell and need a bit of a hand.”

The timing of the Once-a-Year Club allows members time to have Christmas Day lunch with their families.

At its peak, the gatherings numbered up to 80.

Club member Andrew Johnson is now 36 years of age and has fond memories of the yearly gatherings outside the Tantanoola cheese factory where the famed Tiger brand was once made.

“It is about the 15th time that I have been here,” Mr Johnson said.

“It is good to listen to the yarns and catch up with mates.

“COVID did not stop the Once-a-Year-Club from meeting.”