Julian Leeser (Berowra, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

It's rare that one event can bring the whole community together, but, for over 20 years, the Glenhaven Christmas carols is an event that can and does. Each year Glenhaven Oval fills with thousands of local families sitting on their picnic blankets enjoying each other's company and soaking up the Christmas spirit. Last year the event drew over 4,000 people to the oval: mums, dads, grandparents and children. Glenhaven Christmas carols is the product of the hard work of community minded citizens, including members of Glenhaven Rotary and the Glenhaven RFS, who want to put on a great night of family entertainment. I particularly want to acknowledge the hard work of the Glenhaven Carols Christmas committee: Barry Philps, Mitchell Blue, Chris Costaganna, Pablo and Eva Anwandter, Sarah Didsbury, James Langan, Donna Fraser, Karen Stowe and Louise Hedges.

Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, last year's Christmas carols was the best ever. Glenhaven Oval took on a carnival atmosphere, with rides and amusements as well as stage performances by local dance groups and young entertainers living in the area, including Reid the Music, Cassidy-Rae Wilson, Jenna's Singing School, Sister2Sister School of Singing and the combined North West Wind Ensemble and Castle Hill Youth Orchestra. The evening finished with a spectacular fire display. Money raised at last year's carols will be used to support local community groups, including the RFS, Hills Community Aid, the SES, Glenhaven Community Defib Project and ONE80TC rehabilitation services. I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Glenhaven on a wonderful event that has brought our community together year after year for over two decades.

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