Carols goes off in Mathoura

Billy Duggan, Kip McIntosh and Zayne Sarota with some of their fellow classmates. Photos by Zowie Crump. Photo by Zowie Crump

Oh, what a night it was, Mathoura‘s carols night on Sunday.

It was a huge success with youngsters holding large microphones belting out popular carols and sharing the stage with a former The Voice competitor, Callum Gleeson.

Held at the Soldier’s Memorial Garden, the Mathoura community turned out for the town's annual carols event in large number.

This was the first time the Mathoura Events Committee had hosted the annual event, and Pam Fitzpatrick said there were a lot of unknowns before the night.

“This was our first year running the event, so we really weren’t sure how it would end up going,” she said.

“But it was just a fantastic night.”

With the night going off without a hitch, it was no surprise to learn that there were estimated to be over 200 people in attendance.

The evening was filled with so much for the families, including Santa’s appearance and the sweet gifts he was handing out with the help of his elves.

Santa, his elves and even a Murray River Police District officer were also on hand to give the kids a dance lesson to the tune of classic Christmas carols.

Families filled the grassed area as Callum and the students sang, raffle tickets were on sale, with some great prizes to be won, and a barbecue was provided for those in attendance.

As well as a number of free activities and food for those in attendance, there was also Christmas merchandise that could be purchased.

Following all the festivities, Santa was safely escorted back to his sleigh by police, to make his way home to the North Pole.

Mrs Fitzpatrick said these events cannot go ahead without volunteers and supporters.

Special thanks were extended to Mathoura Public School for their involvement, as well as their sponsor/donors The Art of Zowie Photography, Bendigo Bank, Murray River Police District and Murray River Council.

Blake Harris. Photo by Zowie Crump
Zaria Baker-Wilson, Arlo Keech, Mya Unwin and Zahli Vesty. Photo by Zowie Crump
Evie Unwin, Ava Emery and Genevieve Joslin. Photo by Zowie Crump
Jade Schulz. Photo by Zowie Crump
Lisa and Tony Froon and Maarten De Meijer. Photo by Zowie Crump
Matilda Eddy, Ash Froon and Lily Gulliver. Photo by Zowie Crump
Riley, Kayla and Zoe Glenn. Photo by Zowie Crump
Tamara Burt and Aleisha McIntosh. Photo by Zowie Crump
Peter and Bruno Pangrazio. Photo by Zowie Crump
Julie and Eddie Wardlaw. Photo by Zowie Crump
Spencer and Blake Keech. Photo by Zowie Crump
Jennifer and Scarlett Stewart. Photo by Zowie Crump
Remi and Kim Sinor. Photo by Zowie Crump
Frankie Ward. Photo by Zowie Crump
Georgie Taylor and Joyce and Nellie Ward. Photo by Zowie Crump
Trevor Lawler and Luke Egan. Photo by Zowie Crump
Bobby and Beau Duggan-Hulands. Photo by Zowie Crump
Tim Starkey (back) with Toni and Julie Duggan. Photo by Zowie Crump
Hank, Steph and Daisy Ryan. Photo by Zowie Crump
Wally Duggan and Bobby Duggan-Hulands. Photo by Zowie Crump
Santa with his driver Morgan Hadjialexiou and helper elf Keisha Egan. Photo by Zowie Crump
Tony Froon collects his raffle prize from Santa. Photo by Zowie Crump
Former The Voice contestant Callum Gleeson added to the entertainment on the night. Photo by Zowie Crump