December 9, 2025
Heavy morning rain wasn’t enough to stop visitors enjoying Christmas shopping at Orana’s annual Hilltop Markets in Kingaroy.
The markets have been running since 2018, giving residents at Orana Aged Care an opportunity to enjoy the buzz of Christmas shopping right on their doorstep.
The markets, which are open to the public, were held on November 29 and featured 12 stalls run by residents and local businesses.
Orana residents had a variety of homemade Christmas gifts for sale, including baked goods, succulents in pots prepared by the gardening club, woodwork, crafts and sewing.
The morning kicked off with a barbecue serving sausages provided by local butcher Martoo Meats, complemented by a coffee van serving drinks and sweets.
Raffle prizes donated by local businesses included 10 half-hams from Swickers.
Proceeds from the raffle, barbecue and stall sales will support residents’ activities as well as the purchase of two air fryers for residents and staff to use.
Orana Aged Care Activities Facilitator Jo Olsen said the residents looked forward to the markets every year.
“Seeing residents with their families and connecting with the wider community is why we run this event each year. It turns our courtyard into a little Christmas village,” she said.
“For our residents, having the sights, sounds and smells of a real Christmas market brought into their home is incredibly meaningful.
“The smiles and the sense of achievement when something they’ve made is sold is the real success of the day.”
