IN BRIEF: Christmas snapshots from around the Territory
IN BRIEF: Christmas snapshots from around the Territory
17 December 2021
Volunteers Cheryl and Norm were excited by the turnout at the annual Beechworth Toy Run in Victoria’s north-east last weekend. All toys donated will go towards Christmas Cheer in the region. Photo by Sharyn Peterson.
Canberra community has Christmas wrapped up
The Harley Owners Group (HOG) present their gifts to the Army’s mascot Shieldy after a successful toy run on 4 December.
Gift-wrapping is an art form – just ask the breakfast radio hosts of Canberra stations Hit 104.7, Mix 106.3, ABC Radio, 2CC, and 2CA. Earlier this month, they all took part in a gift-wrapping competition at the Canberra Centre – all with the aim of raising awareness for the increased need in the region this Christmas.
“Whilst we will be collecting there, the aim is actually to highlight that although we have all had fun this morning, Christmas isn’t fun for everyone,” said Major Wendy Hateley, Public Relations Secretary for the ACT. “We are encouraging the community to continue to be generous.”
The gift-wrapping competition put the bow on an already full month of Christmas Cheer for Salvos in the ACT. On 4 December, the 41st annual Motorcycle Riders Association Toy Run was held, bringing in much-needed gifts, food, and donations from the public.
Shieldy powers on at Top End event
Salvos mascot Shieldy befriends Pluggie, the Jacana Energy mascot, at the annual High Tea for Hope in Darwin.
Shieldy, The Salvation Army mascot, was on his best behaviour when he was introduced to ‘Pluggie’ at Jacana Energy’s annual High Tea for Hope in Darwin.
Captain Peter Jones, South Australia/Northern Territory Divisional Public Relations Secretary, said staff from the energy company made “goodies” each year, including muffins, brownies, cheesecakes, quiches, sourdough, and sausage rolls, to be sold as part of the high tea event. Jacana Energy matches dollar-for-dollar any money raised from the event, which is donated to the Army’s Christmas Appeal in the Northern Territory.
A Jacana Energy spokesperson said the Christmas period could be “a difficult time for some territorians”, so its bake sale and High Tea for Hope, which was held in the lobby of its Darwin headquarters, was one way to help the Army “spread hope where it’s needed most”.
The High Tea for Hope has been held each year since 2015 with about $1500 having been raised this year.
Meanwhile, about 200 machines took part in the toy run in Darwin on 8 December. Peter said the riders left the Harley Owners Group clubhouse about 10.30am with a police escort for the trip into the heart of the city before arriving at the Pint Club at Marrawa for a barbecue lunch. “It was an amazing turnout,” Peter said. Salvos Stores provided a truck and driver for the day to transport the toys. Along with the toys, the bike club presented the Army with a cheque for about $4700.
Festive spirit flows at Riverland toy run
Motorcycles lined up for the Riverland toy ride in South Australia.
These days, Harley-Davidson motorcycles are as quintessential Christmas as angels, shepherds, and donkeys. In South Australia, bikers from various Harley Owners Group (HOG) clubs were keen to load their thundering machines with all manner of toys and items, twirl their handlebar moustaches, and stroke flowing beards before throwing their leg over a motorcycle seat to assist the Salvos. They rumbled off en masse to the nearest outlets run by The Salvation Army or other designated locations to drop off their booty to help brighten the spirits of kids.
In Riverland, 200 motorcycles roared to life at dawn for the toy run in that area where more than $4000 was raised.
Toy-run riders fly the flag across Queensland
The Salvation Army flag flies behind the motorcycle ridden by Bundaberg Corps Officer Major Chris Millard and his son, Sam.
The big, black, shiny machines have been out in force throughout Queensland, delivering toys to Army centres in Ipswich, Bundaberg, and Gladstone. In Ipswich, the 25th annual toy run involved about 550 riders and pillions. Corps Officer Lieutenant Ashley Biermann said corps folk were up around 5am to prepare breakfast for the riders before they headed off for the final pick-up of toys.
In Bundaberg, the toy run was led by Corps Officer Major Chris Millard on his Honda Shadow and son, Sam, as pillion. Sam held a large Army flag that billowed behind them as they rode the toy run route. In Rockhampton, HOGs Chapter 9116 director John Milios led the toy run dressed as one of Santa’s helpers.
Big turnout in Newcastle as bikers hit the road
The Christmas spirit has also been hitting the road across Newcastle, the Hunter region, NSW Central Coast, and Sydney. More than 7500 motorcyclists participated in the 44th Newcastle Bikers for Kids Toy Run earlier this month, with all presents going to The Salvation Army. The colossal effort was run by Bikers for Kids and included entertainment, face-painting, and a visit from Santa. Gifts are still rolling in, but so far, approximately $76,000 worth of toys have been donated, which will help bring joy to more than 950 children.
Daryn Young, Bikers for Kids chairman, has participated in the toy run since 1986. He says the vision for the Newcastle toy run is about creating community, enabling motorcyclists and locals to get involved. “Our main aim is to continue having the largest single one-day collection point for The Salvation Army as we are the oldest and biggest-running toy run in Australia,” he said. “We look forward to our continuing partnership with The Salvation Army.”
South Barwon band lights up Geelong event
The South Barwon Corps band are playing Christmas carols at Adventure Park throughout December.
The South Barwon Corps band has stepped up their Christmas carolling outreach in Geelong this year, partnering with Victoria’s largest water theme park, Adventure Park, to provide festive music during the annual Christmas Festival of Lights.
The event boasts 2.7 million lights and attracts thousands of people during December. The band played at the main pavilion while people of all ages enjoyed food, rides, and other festivities.
“The Festival of Lights is a perfect opportunity for us to share the Good News about the birth of Jesus, the Light of the World,” said Major Karen Castley, South Barwon Corps Officer.
Santa sacks filled with love in Launceston
Volunteers from the Launceston Salvos and the Tassie Facemask Project show off the Santa Sacks that will fill kids with some extra joy on Christmas morning.
It’s the small things that make Christmas extra magical – like a Christmas tree, a warm meal, and a Santa sack. That’s why Launceston Corps members were thrilled to partner with the Tassie Facemask Project to create more than 500 Santa sacks for kids (and kids at heart) this December.
“We know that for some families, the cost of Christmas can cause a lot of stress. We want to help make sure that Christmas is a time of joy for every Tasmanian,” said Kelly Brown, Launceston Corps Ministry Assistant. “Each Santa sack has been made with love, and we hope they’re something that each child will cherish for years to come.”
The collaboration was a community effort, with supplies donated by the community in an act of Christmas kindness. Traditionally, The Salvation Army distributes toys, food, and vouchers to support Tasmanians experiencing hardship during the holiday season – and this is three times higher over Christmas/New Year due to increased financial pressures.
In this way, the Santa sacks are a small but important way to give families a little extra hope this season. These bags will be filled with gifts kindly donated by the community through the Kmart Wishing Tree and MRA Toy Run.
A Blue Christmas at Kwinana
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Kwinana Salvos will hold its second Blue Christmas to honour people’s losses.
Christmas isn’t always a merry time of the year for some people. It can be a particularly painful season for those grieving the loss of a loved one, a relationship, or maybe their health. That’s why Kwinana Corps in Perth hosts its annual Blue Christmas Service – a place for church and community members to gather and grieve together.
“Our Blue Christmas service is a more reflective service of worship, songs, and readings that, whilst recognising people’s individual realities, also is a reflection of God's hope for us, and his presence with us in feeling what we feel,” said Corps Officer Lieutenant Jodie Jones. “It gives people permission to feel ‘blue’ instead of all the expected ‘jolly jolly’.
“This week, I was asked again by a community member – not from our church – if we were holding this service again because she found it so beneficial last year for her and her daughters after losing her mother.”
In its second year, the Blue Christmas Service will focus on the theme ‘Honour your loss, embrace God’s hope’. It is open to the general public and Christmas Cheer recipients.
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