North East Regional Extra

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december 9 - 15 | 2015

regional extra >>> 25,000 readers every week

north east

north east jobs www.wangarattachronicle.com.au

inside page 7

circulating in wangaratta, myrtleford, bright, mt beauty, beechworth, yackandandah, rutherglen, chiltern and districts

Christmas presence By KYLIE WILSON

GIFTED:

Showing off some of the Christmas presents donated to the Spirit of Christmas program are (from left) Christine Gebauer, Rosie O’Brien and Ben Henwood. PHOTO: Kylie Wilson

GARDENING WITH MOTHER

BETHLEY

RSPCA

FILM

SURI &

THE NIGHT

WITH

MATISE

WINE TALK WITH

BEFORE

ANITA

A Christmas worth saving for.

AT this time of year, especially in the age of social media, financial stresses and emotional isolation can be more amplified than ever. But for the past three years, a small band of people in the Wangaratta community have been bringing Christmas cheer to people less fortunate from across the North East. The Spirit of Christmas Wangaratta initiative was inspired by a man who established a similar gift giving “shop” in Brisbane in 2009, where people in need could choose presents for their loved ones from a range of new and near new donated items. The local program is run by a dedicated committee, supported by VCAL students at the Wangaratta District Specialist School (WDSS), who help sort and catalogue gift donations, as well as run the shop to give away the presents. And all involved are passionate about creating a better Christmas for others. “It’s good for us to show a presence in the community,” said WDSS VCAL student Lincon McKibbin. “It makes us feel good and brings the community together as one. “It shows the kindness of the Australian people…we’re a giving country.” Fellow student Ben Henwood said he enjoyed helping others. “It’s really good to see everyone in the community giving,” he said. Fellow student, Drew Schneider, gets to work on his computer, designing cards that are used as part of the program, and said he enjoyed contributing. Rosie O’Brien, a founding member of the local program who is also the school’s VCAL coordinator, said Spirit of Christmas Wangaratta was a blessing for the students as well as the many hundreds of people the program benefits. continued page |

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