Festive Playford

Fast facts.

More than 6,000 books have been donated since 2012. The initiative has received three awards: • Local Government Award for Leadership

Excellence Awards 2014 • Playford Local Hero Award for Leadership in Community Services 2014 • Jim Crawford Award for Innovation for

Libraries 2014

Festive Playford.

2020 has been a tumultuous year for us all. Now more than ever, it’s important to take time to celebrate and spend time with loved ones.

For many the end of year celebrations may look a little different, however it is important that we take the time to connect with family and friends to celebrate.

Here’s how some of our community will be celebrating the end of 2020.

Give the gift of reading.

For Daina Pocius, Heritage Coordinator at the City of Playford Library, the end of year is about sharing her passion and love of books with the community.

“In 2012 a former colleague shared with me how it was common for local children to start school without ever having seen or picked up a book,” said Diana.

For a book enthusiast like Daina this was inconceivable. With Christmas approaching, she had the simple idea of asking local people to donate new books to local children as Christmas presents.

“We decided to partner with Anglicare who already provide support and gift hampers to the local community,” said Daina. “Anglicare were able to add a book to their existing hampers. From here, Give the Gift of Reading was born.”

Give the Gift of Reading is now in its ninth year. Since 2012 six metropolitan libraries in South Australia have joined the campaign.

“We continue to run the initiative because we believe it does make a difference,” said Daina. “Reading can change people’s lives. It opens doors – to imagination, a world you may not be able to physically access but you can through a book.”

Brand new books can be donated until Tuesday, 15 December at the Playford Civic Centre and Stretton Centre libraries.

Jazmine Glancey, proud Yarrabah descendent and Playford volunteer, will be focusing on family connections as 2020 draws to an end.

December is all about celebration and coming together as a family for Jazmine. “It’s a particularly special month as my three boys are all born in December,” said Jazmine. “It is also when my parents passed away, which serves as a reminder on the importance of family.”

The end of year is also about setting new goals for herself, and her family. “It’s important for me to build myself up as a positive role model for my boys, especially as my eldest son has just started an apprenticeship.”

On Christmas Day Jazmine celebrates over a shared lunch with close friends, where everyone contributes to the meal.

“Christmas isn’t about materialistic things, it’s about love, family connections and family traditions, both new and old,” said Jazmine.

Keeping active.

While Mitchal and Makayla like their downtime at the end of the school year, don’t be fooled by these two pocket rockets.

Mitchal, 10, who is part of the Playford 10 program at Elizabeth Grove Primary School is looking forward to celebrating the school holidays by doing what he enjoys most.

“My favourite thing to do at the end of year is play video games and tennis on the weekends,” he said.

Mitchal has recently joined the Playford Tennis Club after trying his hand at the game through sporting activities held at Spruance Reserve. “I have been practicing my forehands and backhands,” he said.

Much like her older brother, Makayla, 9, likes to spend her school holidays playing games and participating in little athletics. “I like running, throwing, jumping, exercising,” she said.

The pair also enjoy spending time with family either at home or visiting regional SA.

“Sometimes we go away to Millicent for Christmas to see our Aunt and Uncle or they come here,” they said. Their family tradition is strong with “a group photo by the Christmas tree and presents” every year.

CHRISTMAS DAY VOLUNTEERS

Colin and Angie look forward to volunteering each year at the Grenville Christmas lunch, “it’s our highlight of the year.”

Christmas at Grenville.

Colin Moyle and Angie Goldsmith have spent the past seven years supporting the Grenville Hub Christmas Lunch for socially isolated and vulnerable people, and 2020 will be no different.

According to Angie it was Colin’s idea to initially volunteer, after learning about the lunch while volunteering with the northern adult mental health service, Club 84. “He thought it would be a great way to give back, making Christmas day special for others, while spending time together,” said Angie. “Now I can’t imagine Christmas without it.”

For Angie and Colin, it’s seeing young children’s faces light-up, hearing them laugh and be greeted by Santa that makes it so rewarding. It’s also watching everyone enjoy the two-course lunch, receive their raffle prizes and be one as a community.

“We think it’s amazing that this lunch is available for isolated or vulnerable people on Christmas Day,” Angie said. “They can forget whatever else is happening in the world, come together and enjoy the day as one community.”

Angie and Colin are passionate advocates for volunteering as a way to give back, develop new skills and meet new people. “As Ngarrindjeri/Narungga people we are proud to give back and positively represent our mob, and we actively encourage others in our community to do the same.”

Christmas lunch.

The lunch has been held each Christmas since 2011. 950 socially isolated and vulnerable community members have attended the lunch since 2011. 20 volunteers support the lunch each year.