What a terrific Christmas celebration at the North Shore Community Centre a week ago, with hundreds of Pacific Paradise State School students and parents – and probably a few grandparents too – turning up to spread the joy of the season.
Santa arrived in style and many other community groups, including the North Shore Lions, cooked up a storm or supplied their Christmas raffles, gifts, facepainting and gifts in true splendour.
While the shopping centres are playing carols and are decked out in style, I think it’s true community events such as this that truly mark the beautiful time of the year that it is, with local residents of all ages coming together.
There will be more to come, and I hope that if you’ve never experienced these local events, you can jump on in and spread the joy by being part of our community celebrations.
I have also recorded my annual Christmas song, which I did last weekend with the Marcoola Surf Club Nippers, and this will be released shortly on my Facebook page as a ‘singing Christmas card’, so to speak. What a bright bunch of young children who were so eager to participate and learn the words to the song. It was a wonderful way to start a beautiful Sunday morning.
Working with all these community groups is one of my greatest joys as we identify local needs – from the environment to supporting the vulnerable – and work together on ways that we can improve our community. There is real power in the local community.
I am excited for next year and all that it will bring, and I am ready to roar in 2024! I have a brilliant team, and together we have achieved many things, such as getting constituents access to urgent surgery and assistance with other health matters, personally assisting constituents battling with bureaucracy to get good outcomes, as well as community organisations on their key projects.
As always, at this time of the year, I like to give a shout-out to some great local organisations supporting people in tough times at Christmas. Christmas is not always a happy time for everyone. If you are looking to give a Christmas gift of kindness this year, consider giving to St Vinnies, Lifeline or SunnyKids, or a group of your choice to help others at Christmas – your donation will be appreciated.
Don’t hesitate to contact me if there is anything that I can be of assistance with.