Community
1 December, 2023
‘Tis season to be jolly
AS the lightning of the Esplanade’s Christmas tree tonight marks the official beginning of the festivities, events and appeals across the region, the community is being encouraged to embrace those in need and give back this Christmas.
Festive celebrations officially start today on the Esplanade from 5.30pm with entertaining shows by Australia’s favourite dog Bluey and her sister Bingo and the traditional lightning of the tree at 7pm by Cairns Mayor Terry James and the winners of council’s Christmas ecard competition.
This year the town’s Christmas tree will have a Reef-inspired theme with special decorations by local artists Hayley Gillespie and India Collins that will shine bright with the 13,000 LED lights of the 10m-tall tree.
“There’s nothing like Christmas in the tropics and it’s fitting that we kick off the festive season beside our iconic lagoon,” Cr James said.
Dozens of Christmas events and appeals are also kicking off this week encouraging the Cairns community to embrace the spirit of the holidays and give back some joy to struggling families.
Cairns’ residents have lots of options to support locals doing it tough with appeals like the Mayor’s Christmas Appeal, Kmart Wishing Tree, Big W Giving Tree and the relaunch of the Quicksilver Christmas appeal in Cairns.
The Mayor’s appeal will raise funds to make 1000 hampers to go to families in need in the Cairns region, while the Kmart appeal is taking gifts and donations to go to the Cairns Salvation Army, or you can drop off unwrapped gifts under the tree at Big W local stores to go to the Children’s Hospital Foundation. This year also marks the return of the Quicksilver appeal to Cairns, where all gifts and non-perishable food donated will go to Cairns Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul Cairns.
The Quicksilver Group relaunched the company’s annual Christmas Charity Appeal.
The appeal first began in 2004 but due to COVID impacts was unable to be held over the past few years.
With support from industry colleagues, local suppliers and the company’s 490 strong staff, food and gifts will be donated to the Salvation Army, Vinnies and the Douglas Shire community for their direct distribution to families and individuals in need.
“It has been, and still is a very challenging time for many people and businesses in our region and the charities are in need more than ever,” said Quicksilver Group managing director Tony Baker.
“Every donation will certainly help make Christmas much happier for a lot of families and people. We hope this will make a difference to many in our community.”
Major Ben Johnson from the Salvation Army said they expected to need a lot more help from the community this year.
“Last year we assisted 680 households with Christmas hampers, and with the increase in cost of living, we are expecting the need to be much greater this year,” he said.
Christmas is also a time to share the holiday cheer with the community and there are many free options for residents this year with the Cairns Churches Cairns Community Carols at the Cairns Showgrounds tomorrow from 5.30pm and the ‘Bauble and Bows’ themed Carols in the Park event at Munro Martin Parklands on December 17 from 4pm. “Bring along your blankets and chairs and enjoy the free show,” Cr James said.
