A Christmas message from Mayor Cr Jeff Springfield

The past year has been a big one for the Cardinia Shire community, and this time of year calls for remembering the good, learning and healing from the not-so-good, and most of all spending time with loved ones.

I hope you will all consider joining us to celebrate Christmas among community, friends and family, with a joyful night of music and fun at Cardinia Shire Carols by Candlelight.

Cardinia Shire Council is proud to present the annual Carols by Candlelight again this year, with the support of many local community groups and businesses. Thank you to all of the sponsors and volunteers who make Carols by Candlelight such a memorable occasion every year!

The event, on Saturday 14 December 2019 at Toomuc Recreation Reserve, Princes Hwy Pakenham, is a great opportunity to spend some quality time with family and friends, at an evening of free festive fun.

Gates open at 6pm for the community picnic and pre-Carols entertainment by local artists and primary schools. The official program will commence around 8.30pm, with Carols featuring the Cardinia Civic Concert Band and Auslan interpreters in attendance.

There will also be a friendly visit from Santa and we will light up the night with a stunning fireworks display at approximately 10.15pm, which will officially conclude the evening’s activities. Local dog owners are reminded this is a pet-free event and to ensure your pets are safe and secure at home during the fireworks.

This time of year often moves us to reflect on the past year and highlights for us what is truly most important. For me, it’s the love of my family, the support of my friends and colleagues, the safety, health and wellbeing of those I love, and connection and belonging with you, my community.

The past year has presented many challenges for our community. We started the year off with a bushfire event that affected more than the beautiful landscape we call home. Together we continue to rebuild and recover - together we are stronger.

Our whole community can be proud of the strength, resilience and support we have shown, given, and received throughout the year.

Christmas can be an especially difficult time for some, and our love and support may be needed more than usual at this time. I encourage you to reach out to those in need.

I would like to give special thanks to everyone in our community who has volunteered this year – the dedication of our community to helping each other shines through more than at this time of year.

To my fellow Councillors, thank you for your continued commitment to working with our community to make a difference.

I am looking forward to seeing you at the Carols, and on behalf of all of us at Cardinia Shire Council, I wish you and your family a wonderful festive break and a safe summer season.

- Cr Jeff Springfield, Mayor.