It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas around the district. Community halls have been decked for the traditional and popular Christmas tree gatherings. Santa has stopped by villages, spreading cheer and delighting local children thrilled to get a glimpse of the jolly man in red, perched on top of a fire truck and throwing lollies. Colourful lights and festive displays are brightening up farm gates and front gardens, while the sweet sound of community carols has brought joy and connection to locals and visitors alike. The countdown to Christmas is well and truly on.
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The district’s kind and welcoming Christmas spirit was on display at the Christmas Carols evening held on December 7 and hosted by the Wee Waa Anglican and Presbyterian Churches, with a fabulous mix of locals and visitors in attendance – from younger community band members to aged care residents.
The popular event was once again held in the gorgeous Weeronga gardens (part of the Whiddon Group’s residential and aged care).
“I thought it went really well,” said Wee Waa Anglican Church Minister Caleb Torrance.
“It’s a lovely setting there in the Weeronga gardens and a great
opportunity to have the residents of Weeronga get involved as well.
“They were sitting up on the balcony singing along too.
“We had quite a few people there, which was exciting – I think the Lions Club said they served about 170 sausages.
“And, quite a lot of kids, certainly more than 50.”
Caleb attended the carols evening with his wife Kirsty and two daughters Lucy and Sally.
“Being quite new to the Wee Waa community it was lovely for us to see people come together and another chance to get to know people,” he said.
“It was encouraging for us to see people we’ve met in different parts of our life – some we know from church, others from playgroup, and some people just from wandering down the street.
“There were people at carols from all those different parts, people who have welcomed us to town, and it was really nice to see them there.”
Before moving to Wee Waa, the Torrance family lived in Parramatta and Moree, so are familiar with the district and are enjoying life in Wee Waa.
Two highlights of the successful carols evening included fun and festive tunes played by the talented Wee Waa Community Band members along with the children’s entertainment provided by Alison and Tim Downes, who had the young crowd captivated.
“It was fantastic to have the band there, Peter Carrett is the one who put all of that together so well,” said Caleb.
“And with Tim and Alison who did the kids spot, I think the kids all loved the puppet show especially.
“It surprises me sometimes how much puppets bring out in kids – it was great.
“And the playgroup did a little song together at the end too.
“We wanted to put something on for the community to come and enjoy, have a feed but I guess the big one for us is to really celebrate the birth of Jesus and to celebrate the fact that God has come to be with us and how incredible that is,” he said.
Caleb shared a message of hope to the community.
“For us, Jesus offers true hope… he came down to earth to suffer in our place. He points us to a greater future – that’s the hope of our faith in Jesus, that there is something greater. He offers those who trust in him a life without suffering,” said Caleb.
Caleb also expressed his gratitude to the community, Lions Club, Whiddon-Weeronga, attendees and everyone who made this year’s carols an evening of joy and music.
“Thank you to the Lions, they volunteered their time and provided the sausages and to Weeronga – it really was a lovely setting.”
