Connecting with community this Christmas

Stuart McLean, rear left, Colleen Burville, Sally-Ann Muller, Bindunil Weerakkody with Santa (aka Arthur Herring), Kathleen Carswell and Dianne Barclay. (Ivan Kemp) 448933_06

The community can participate in a fun-filled morning with live music and complimentary food and drink in Hamlyn Heights, with a special visit from Santa.

Vines Road Community Centre (VRCC) will host its fourth annual Christmas Morning Tea from 10.30am to noon on December 18 at the centre on 37-61 Vines Road.

Executive officer Sally-Ann Muller said the event was a chance for the community to come together and for VRCC to recognise the contributions of its volunteers.

“I’m looking forward to seeing lots of happy faces, community connection and engagement,” she said.

“We’d also love to see new faces that haven’t been here before to experience our beautiful hall and connect with others.

“The event has grown over the years and it’s a great place for connection, networking and engagement, as well as to celebrate the year that was.”

Ms Muller said VRCC also teamed up with Uniting Vic.Tas to donate presents to “families doing it hard this Christmas” through the Christmas Gifts for Families program.

“This is what Christmas is all about; it’s giving and sharing, and we are really excited and happy to be a part of that,” she said.

“Every year, VRCC connects with a different charity or organisation to help people in need at Christmas time, and this year, we are supporting Uniting Vic.Tas.

“The community of children, parents and educators at Manifold Heights Primary School have been incredibly generous and donated buckets of toys. We are incredibly grateful for their support.”

VRCC will collect new and unwrapped presents for Uniting Vic.Tas until 10am on Monday, December 16, with the centre open between 9am and 2pm from Monday to Friday.