{"id":92923,"date":"2014-12-22T22:44:57","date_gmt":"2014-12-22T12:44:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=92923"},"modified":"2020-11-20T16:32:33","modified_gmt":"2020-11-20T06:32:33","slug":"christmas-spirit-in-the-bush","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2014\/12\/22\/christmas-spirit-in-the-bush\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas Spirit In The Bush"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Tristan Waldock, 11, from Murgon, was captaining the miniature train for the “bush kids”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A long line of children queued to get a present from Father Christmas<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

December 23, 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n

The grass was looking greener – and everyone’s spirits were high – at the special Bush Kids Christmas Carnival held at Windera on Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n

The carnival had been organised to help raise the spirits of the drought-stricken families in the area – and there were certainly a lot of smiles about – but it’s no exaggeration to say the recent rain has also been a lifesaver.<\/p>\n

Organiser Sarah Vanderkolk, from the Barambah Soccer Club, had been wanting to do something to help the families that she knew were doing it hard.<\/p>\n

And then one Wednesday morning, just a few weeks ago, she woke up with the idea to hold a Christmas carnival.<\/p>\n

Murgon Apex quickly came on board, and a lot of other Apex Clubs also put their shoulders to the wheel.<\/p>\n

Local businesses also donated their services.<\/p>\n

So on Saturday, the “bush kids” of Windera had the opportunity of enjoying miniature pony rides, miniature train rides, face painting, balloon sculptures, nail beauty and arts and crafts … all for free in the grounds of the Windera State School.<\/p>\n

Kingaroy musician Lloyd Back supplied the live entertainment.<\/p>\n

There was also a barbecue but the highlight – as always – was the visit by Santa Claus.<\/p>\n

The children queued patiently to receive a hug and a gift from Father Christmas.<\/p>\n

No one is saying the drought is over, but there were a lot more happy faces at Windera on Saturday evening.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Organisers would like to thank:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ruth Dixon and BIEDO
\nGoldmix Stockfeeds
\nRemko Engineering, Murgon
\nParmalat
\nOrchy Juice
\nGympie Ice Works
\nRyan’s Butchery, Wondai
\nMurgon Bakery
\nMurgon Fruit Shop
\nJeff Seeney, Member for Callide
\nCr Kathy Duff
\nSalvation Army Kingaroy and Chaplain Neville Radecker
\nWindera State School and P & C
\nApex Club of Murgon
\nRural and Remote Mental Health Qld
\nRed Dust Miniatures
\nKarla’s Carnival
\nLloyd Back
\nBush Girl Beauty
\nAmanda Burns from “Twisted Balloon”
\nMondee Coffee
\nRenae and Aaron Waldock
\nEmma Sippel
\nCharlton Apartments Hervey Bay
\nShelley Beach Motel Hervey Bay
\nHervey Bay Motel
\nWoodgate Beach Houses Woodgate
\nWindwood Passage Caloundra
\nMember for Logan Michael Pucci
\nAnonymous donors<\/p>\n