King Arthur used the round table to discuss the kingdom's business and plan quests. 

Another legendary table exists at Seahampton on the property of Gary Lawless.

Gary says his table - although a rectangle - serves a similar purpose to the legendary round table for him and his neighbours.

"Group discussions are held in the same way, albeit about different subjects like politics, sport, the news, life's various injustices and even an individual's shortcomings," he said.

"The official name for this table is the 'Table of Knowledge'. It sits outside the horse stable and round-yard in a pleasant setting, under a shady tree, where there is plenty of wildlife around."

Cockatoos and lorikeets usually turn up every afternoon for a pick from the feeder in a nearby tree.

"The table is used in the warmer months for our informal meetings. As the winter creeps in, we move to surround the 'Fire of Enlightenment'.

"This is a fire pit and a circle of chairs that warms up our bodies and sometimes the discussions, when the chill winds blow and the skies are leaden."

Gary and his friends sit around these "venerable edifices" on most afternoons to discuss the day's events and world news, while "enjoying a well-earned libation".

"This has been going on for more than 25 years. I have often thought that the discussions and yarns told, as the level of libation increases, deserve to be shared with a wider audience," he said.

"We discuss anything and everything at the Table of Knowledge."

Some of the discussions would make for a half-decent stand-up comedy routine.

"There are usually at least three or four regulars around the table, but others trickle in from time to time, which adds a bit of variety to the afternoon's agenda," Gary said.

"The regulars include the guys that live just across the road. I am certain that they started using the table as a means to get out of the house."

Gary lives at Edgeworth but used to live at Seahampton. He kept the property and, for a long time, trained horses there.

"When I turn up to do my chores, it does not take long before they wander over, arms full of beer, to take their accustomed seat. 

"It is not only the guys that wander over, but all their dogs as well. While we discuss the current subject of interest, the dogs can be seen cavorting around, chasing each other in play.

"The dogs generally keep out of the way, but sometimes their play will generate a united uproar, and a swinging of boots towards canine backsides, as they dive under the table and threaten to unseat all and sundry."

The blokes' wives occasionally wander over.

"They are welcomed with a whispered warning among the guys of 'ducks on the pond, ducks on the pond', which is a way of telling the guys that a female is approaching and to tone down the language, and also to stop talking about the wives in general."

Many stories are told around the table, some humorous and some ridiculous. In truth, most are not fit for publication.

"Over the years, in the one or two hours we spend each afternoon sitting around this local landmark, we have solved all of Australia's political problems.

"We have dispensed advice to each other on marital issues, which sometimes ends up in another heated discussion the next day.

"We have also solved the country's fiscal problems with some rather drastic measures. We have fixed problems with cars, motorbikes, dog behaviour, our children and youth in general, and told many barefaced lies that everyone seems to accept as gospel."

Gatherings around the Table of Knowledge are essentially "a time of relaxation and reflection on life generally, a way to complain about everything and unload the day's stress".

"After all this time, I am convinced that we will live in a poorer place if ever the Table of Knowledge stops solving the world's problems. Well, at least in theory anyway."

The Knights of the Round Table led the quest for the holy grail, that magical and mythical chalice that was said to offer immortality. And, at the very least, happiness. 

Sounds like Gary and his friends have been on their own grail quest. They seem to have grasped the cup of life itself.   

This reminds us of a version of an old allegory - the tale of the Fisher King. It begins with the king as a boy, spending the night alone in a forest to prove his courage. 

In the forest, he has a vision. Out of the fire appears the holy grail. A voice says to the boy: "You shall be keeper of the grail so it may heal the hearts of men".

But the boy was blinded by greater visions of power, glory and beauty. He felt not like a boy, but invincible like God. So he reached into the fire to take the grail, but it vanished. The fire badly burned his hand. 

As this boy grew older, his wound grew deeper. He spent his life yearning for the grail. Eventually, life lost all meaning. He had no faith in any man, not even himself. He couldn't love or feel loved. He was sick with experience. He began to die.

One day a fool wandered into the castle and found the king alone. Being a fool, he was simple minded. He didn't see a king, he saw only a man alone and in pain. He asked the king: "What ails you, friend?"

The king replied: "I'm thirsty. I need some water to cool my throat".

So the fool took a cup from beside his bed, filled it with water and handed it to the king. As the king began to drink, his wound finally healed. He looked in his hands and there was the holy grail.

It had been with him all along.