Carols bigger than ever
Once again, the festive season is here, which means towns in the region will be filled with Christmas cheer during their annual carols.
The Neerim South community carols has a rich history in the region and has been a popular event in the small town for many years. However, after a few leaner years lately, Jenny Muir and Christie Bransgrove made it their mission to bring the carols back to their former glory, which captivated the town and its surrounds in years gone by.
After a huge turnout last December under a revamped format, Neerim South will again be holding its community carol service on December 22 at 6:30pm and are looking to go even bigger. After the much-awaited Christmas Fair was cancelled because of a poor weather forecast earlier in the month, the carols will also now be hosting the event from 5pm onwards at Neerim South Primary School, meaning this year’s event will be bigger than ever.
During the fair, many well-known Neerim South locals will be sitting on the ‘dunking’ machine, with some of their friends and family alongside others aiming to send them falling into the icy water during the night.
Ms Bransgrove, said that the dunking machine would be one of the more popular attractions and it was fantastic to see the community get behind the event.
“We’ve got some of the Neerim ‘celebrities’ which we are calling them, participating on the dunk machine this year, so it will be really great” she said. “It’s all about recognition for the community and the whole town being involved in the night” she explained.
The carols will then kick off with a combined performance from Neerim South and Buln Buln Primary schools, alongside the local kinder kids, followed by a mixture of community sing along songs. Adrian Darakai will also be performing an original Christmas song on the night, before Jasmine Judd and members of the Warragul Theatre Company serenade the crowd with some Christmas classics.
With a large turnout expected, it will again culminate with the all-important fireworks display at 9:15pm, which is a huge hit throughout the town.
With Santa visiting the Neerim South Hotel last week, the town has already begun its Christmas festivities, including an elf hunt with businesses and organisations working together to provide prizes to those children who can find the hidden elf each day.
There has also been a community Christmas tree created, which will be situated at the local bank and decorated by various members of the community, before being unveiled and lit up during the carols on December 22.