MUCH is happening in New Norfolk and the Derwent Valley in the last days before Christmas. Notable displays of Christmas lights are drawing visitors to various properties around the district, Santa is preparing for a last-minute run around Lachlan and Maydena, a free Christmas lunch is in the final stages of preparation, and Tyga-FM radio announcers are counting down to their 72-hour marathon broadcast.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS at New Norfolk: 57 and 60 Charlotte St, 83 Blair St, 4 Page Ave, 6 Purdon Ave, 10 and 12 Sixth Ave, 13 and 14 Fourth Ave, 21 Benjamin Tce, 2 PhillipsAve. At Magra/Lawitta: 122 Black Hills Rd, 469 Back River Rd, 178 Lawitta Rd, 1844 Lyell Hwy. At Glenora: 1722 Glenora Rd. At Hamilton: Lyell Hwy. If you know of any others, let us know.
One of the big displays in New Norfolk can been seen near the Esplanade, where Shane Tassell has decorated his historic cottage and its yard (pictured above). He started last year with a small display and has returned bigger and better this year with a mixture of Christmas and Halloween elements. The address is 4 Page Ave, directly opposite the New Norfolk Bowls Club. There is plenty of parking for people wanting to take a good look and Shane is often out front for a chat. The display is best viewed from 9pm and it takes an eerie turn after 10.30pm when the Halloween elements become more dominant. The lights go out around 1.30am. Mr Tassell’s display will continue until January 1.
SANTA’S LOLLY RUN: The New Norfolk Fire Brigade took Santa Claus for a run around New Norfolk last week, and Gretna Fire Brigade drove Santa around Gretna, Ouse and Hamilton last weekend. On Christmas Eve he will get some help from the Maydena and Lachlan fire brigades for a visit to those towns to hand out lollies and share good cheer. Maydena to National Park: Maydena Fire Brigade will take Santa around Maydena at 5pm, and then on to Fitzgerald, Tyenna and National Park. Lachlan: Lachlan Fire Brigade will take Santa on three loops around the district. Loop 1 (Mapley Rd/Lower Swamp Rd/Top Swamp Rd) from 10am. Loop 2 (Lachlan Rd/White Timber Rd/Hydehurst Rd, Mt Charles Rd) from 12.30pm. Loop 3 (Lachlan Rd/Moores Rd/Ironstone Gully Rd/Haney Rd) from 3.30pm. Listen out for the sirens and wait for the vehicles to stop before approaching Santa.
CHRISTMAS BROADCAST: Community radio station Tyga-FM will start its live Christmas marathon broadcast at 6am on Christmas Eve, with Bruce Lamb hosting until 9am. 9am to midday is Ray Hewitt, followed by Jeannie from noon-2pm, Craig and Roz from 2-5pm, Richard Onn from 5-7pm, Martin Bennett from 7-8pm, Andrew Clarke from 8-9pm, and James T. Graham from 9pm to midnight. Christmas Day (Saturday): James T. Graham until 3am, Craig and Lee from 3-6am, Doug Smith from 6-9am, Celia Hooker from 9-9.45am, Kimbra Bester from 9.45-11am, Jeannie from 11am-1pm, Peter and Julieann from 1-3pm, Colleen Monk from 3-5pm, Scott Shaw from 5-7pm, and Chris Ranson will see the night out from 7pm until midnight. Boxing Day (Sunday): Samantha Crosswell until 3am, Andrew Clarke from 3-6am, Ray Hewitt from 6-9am, Celia Hooker from 9-10am, Nigel Jones from 10am-1pm, Honey from 1-2pm, Craig Farrell from 2-4pm, Steve Neuhoff from 4-6pm, Colin and Sharon Hutchison from 6-8pm, 8.00 to 10.00 Peter Sweetlove from 8-10pm and James T. Graham will wrap it up between 10.pm and midnight when normal programming will resume. Call the station on 6261 2000 for a request and a cheerio.
COMMUNITY LUNCH: Anyone without plans for Christmas Day lunch is welcome to join in a picnic-style community feast at Arthur Square in central New Norfolk. A local tradition for about three decades, this free Christmas Day lunch will be held outdoors for the second time, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Provided by the churches of New Norfolk, the lunch has previously been held in the St Matthew’s Church Hall and the New Norfolk War Memorial Hall. Despite the change from a sit-down lunch to a picnic, the basic idea remains the same: bring a friend, or come alone and make a friend.
The lunch is free and open to all from 11am-3pm on Christmas Day. Anyone who can bring their own chair or picnic rug will make it easier for those not able to carry chairs or get up off the ground. Family activities will start at 11am, and the food and drinks will be served from noon. Entry will be from the corner of Pioneer Ave and Bathurst St, under the Arthur Square sign. Under the COVID-Safe plan, check-in will be required. Anyone wishing to financially support this community-based initiative can donate to the New Norfolk Christian Leaders Association via BSB 067404, Account 2800 0822, referring to the Christmas Lunch. For more information call Gillian on 0429 611 528.
CHURCH SERVICES – CHRISTMAS EVE
SALVATION ARMY: Christmas Eve Service, Derwent Valley Corps, Hamilton Rd, New Norfolk, 7pm.
CATHOLIC: Vigil Mass (family mass), St Peter’s Church, Hillside Crescent, New Norfolk, 6pm.
CATHOLIC: Midnight Mass, St Peter’s Church, New Norfolk, 9pm.
ANGLICAN: Carols, Readings and Nativity at St Andrew’s Church, Ellendale, 6pm.
ANGLICAN: Holy Communion and carols at St Matthew’s Church, with choir, Bathurst St, New Norfolk, 11pm.
CHURCH SERVICES – CHRISTMAS DAY
ANGLICAN: Holy Communion at St Matthew’s Church, Bathurst St, New Norfolk, 9am.
ANGLICAN: Christmas service at St John’s Church, Ouse, 10am.
CATHOLIC: Mass at St Andrew’s Church, Bothwell, 10am.
CATHOLIC: Mass at St Colman’s Church, Ellendale, 11.30am.
TYGA-FM COMMUNITY RADIO: The Reverend Celia Hooker will broadcast from 9-9.45am.
CHURCH SERVICES – BOXING DAY
CATHOLIC: Mass at St Peter’s Church, New Norfolk, 9am.
ANGLICAN: Holy Communion at Edge Anglican, Main Rd, Claremont, 9am (Derwent Valley parishioners welcome).
One Comment
How unusual once again the Black Hills is left out of the Santa run for the children. Between myself and neighbour alone we have 17 children yet they miss out. I think this is unfair.