CAROLS galore were sung in the lead-up to Christmas, with multiple events around Tea Gardens and Pindimar getting locals ready for the big day.
On Sunday 21 December, South Pindimar beach hosted several Christmas revellers under the watchful eye of the ospreys in their eyrie atop the lone pine tree.
The stifling 40-degree day was relieved by a southerly breeze from around 5:30pm, just in time for Santa to arrive on his tinsel-covered golf cart/sleigh by 6pm.
Entertainment was provided graciously by an eclectic group of five local musicians, Doug, Bert, Jack, John and Jeff (better group name pending).
Among the many songs sung, the most accurate was the recently rediscovered “Aussie Jingle Bells”, with its chorus of “on a scorching summer’s day”.
The same date also held the annual Combined Churches Carols night at Tea Gardens Baptist Church, starting with a free sausage sizzle and ice cream, then into the main hall for songs.
The first song, “We Are Australian”, was delivered by the Myall U3A choir and was enhanced by the inclusion of local indigenous man Thomas Franks playing the didgeridoo. He was joined by his kids on stage.
Le Keipert emceed the rest of the night, which featured several Christian carols, and a custom version of the “Twelve Days of Xmas”, rewritten by Ray Keipert to celebrate the natural beauty and fauna of our local Myall Coast area.
Lissa courageously engaged the audience via simple but energetic ‘left’ and ‘right’ cues during a Christmas story, which turned out to be a refreshingly comedic activity for the room, no rehearsal possible nor necessary.
The Combined Carols also featured groups from the other Christian congregations in town, such as the St Stephen’s Catholic group delivering poetry as well as singing, St Andrews Anglicans reading “Amazing Days: the story of the very first Christmas”, with cue cards for audience participation, and John and Denise Lamb from the Uniting Church read a Christian version of “A Night Before Christmas”.
Some kids’ drummed along live with the Little Drummer Boy, followed by a new Baptist Church group called “Horizons”, belting out “Oh, Happy Day” and “Joy to the World” with the audience.
The finale was Silent Night, utilising phone lights as candle stand-ins.
Monday 22 December saw cooler temperatures at the Riverside Carols, hosted at Anzac Park by the St Andrews Anglican Church – starting with more free sausages, as well as Christmas gifts for the kids and an opportunity to play dress-ups.
A looming storm swept out to sea, allowing the kids to play dress-ups arranged by the church committee to involve them in the big Christmas Story song.
The Myall Melodians choir also augmented the night’s songs, while the Anglican band led the way for several Christian carols.
Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Surf Club volunteers were on hand specifically for First Aid duty with the large turnout.
The outdoor setting suited the typical Aussie Christmas and the band and choir sounded good with the memorial wall behind them as a nice local backdrop.
International visitors even commented on being at this particular event – saying they come every year with family.
The birds, clouds, songs, relieving breeze and nice temperature all made for some wholesome outdoor fun, and even the lorikeets in the trees joined in the chorus, acting as the “host of angels” during “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing”.
By Thomas O’KEEFE
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