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POREPUNKAH'S annual Christmas Party was held once again at the Porepunkah Community Hall, with event organisers well-prepared for the weather, providing indoor games for the kids and setting up gazebos outside for everyone.
Despite the beautiful rain, the wet weather did not deter the local community from coming out to catch up, listen to music, enjoy a great meal and celebrate the event for the whole Porepunkah community.
A barbecue was sheltered under the verandah, keeping the cooks happy as they prepared the food.
There were plenty of laughs and shared stories, meet and greets, creating a joyful atmosphere where even the kids and parents were running around in the rain.
When Santa arrived in the fire truck, sirens blazing, all the children rushed from every direction to greet the jolly figure in his red and white suit.
The long queue for a special visit with Santa made for a memorable afternoon.
With a bubble machine in action, the kids were screaming with excitement and parents were delighted to see their children's joy.
Event organisers, including Renee Lee, Colleen Ellis and Lorraine Hughes, remained prepared and ready to adapt (even when the rain exceeded expectations and the fridge in the hall malfunctioned) to deliver a fantastic day for all.
"It is truly a wonderful experience to be among the many volunteers who come together for this annual occasion to set up, prepare, enjoy, catch up, cook, listen to music from Woven Hearts and clean up afterward," Ms Hughes said.
"The sight of everyone working together in a frenzy during the setup and clean-up was a joy to behold.
"When the community collaborates as a team, the event is organised swiftly and the clean-up is completed efficiently.
"It is a pleasure to work alongside individuals who are dedicated to their community and its events, making it a great experience to volunteer together.
"This year, the main sponsor was the Bright Rotary Club, a fantastic group that supports local community initiatives.
"A big thank you goes out to them, along with other sponsors such as Woolworths, Bright Ice Creamery, Ringer Reef, Goodman & Felder, Sun Cinema, Porepunkah Primary School, CFA and Porepunkah Roadhouse, as well as previous donations from the Porepunkah Op Shop."

