Once again on a warm Tuesday evening in early December, the leafy grounds of Chiswick Gardens were filled with over 500 parents and children picnicing on the grass and listening and joining in the QSWWA Community Christmas Carols, an event now over 35 years old. While parents enjoyed a glass of wine and nibbles, excited children queued to have their faces painted, take away an animal made from balloons or get a hot dog from the barbecue, skilfully prepared and cooked by the team from Chiswick Restaurant. Once again, Woollahra Council were very generous supporters and we thank the Mayor, Richard Shields, for officially opening the evening and welcoming everyone. As they always do, many of our local businesses supported the raffle with wonderful prizes. The raffle is an important annual fund raiser for the QSWWA and we very much appreciate the support of our sponsors and prize givers (see the list of raffle prize donors below). We also very much appreciate the support of our other major sponsors, Georgia Cleary and McGrath, and jim's Cellars who supported the refreshments table.

The musical program began with the very talented accordion player, Philippe, entertaining the crowd with a combination of carols and Christmas tunes. This was then followed by a medley of songs from the Woollahra Public School Choir, comprising over 100 singers. Woollahra Public School is an integral part of our community and it was great to have the Principal, Ms Nicole Molloy and her team with us again this year. The program was then completed with a collection of carols and community singing by a very talented choir led by local resident Hellen Arestides and her friends, making it another very memorable and enjoyable start to the Christmas festivities. It makes it so much a local community event when all the singers are from the area, so many thanks to Nichole and Helen for all their work.

Santa and his elves made a very welcome appearance, posing for numerous photos with childen and parents and giving each child a delicious Christmas ice cream, generously provided by Bodalla Dairy Ice Cream. Given the amount of work Santa did on the night, its a wonder he will have any energy for his round the world present run on Christmas Eve. Many thanks, Sant and elves!

Again, a big thank you to all those who took part and supported us – Woollahra Council, Georgia Cleary and McGrath, Chiswick Restaurant, Jim's Cellars, Bodalla Dairy Ice Cream, raffle prize donors (listed below), musicians, singers, parents, Santa & his elves (aka Jonny, Cilla and Margot Warre), our photographer, Paul McGuire, and all the QSWWA committee members. Particular thanks need to go to our event organiser for the Carols, Alan Smith. Alan works tirelessly to organise the Carols every year and we are all very grateful and appreciative of Alan’s work in making it such a successful event.  

Giles Edmonds, President, QSWWA