Families sing the season at Ballarat Carols

THREE generations of the Goldsmith family from Wendouree staked their claim to a patch of the Mars Stadium oval just before 6pm on Sunday for the Ballarat Carols.

Matriarch Debbie Goldsmith said it was the family’s second year attending the carol service because it’s good Christmas fun.

“The carols get us all into the Christmas spirit.”

Her son Tim Goldsmith said the group wasn’t daunted by the chance of rain.

“When you live in Ballarat you are always prepared for the weather.”

Daughter Samantha Attwood said holding the carols in the Stadium was a better location than last year.

“The kids are having a great time running around while we wait for the show to start.”

The youngest generation Abbie Attwood, 3, and Xavier Goldsmith, 2, couldn’t wait to hear and sing along with Jingle Bells, their favourite Christmas Carol.

Half-an-hour earlier Soldiers Hill locals Debra Johnson, her daughter Leah Johnson, Letisha McCarthy and Steffani Kuhn arrived at the stadium as they always like to be front and centre.

With foldup chairs, a rug, umbrella and plenty of home-made picnic food the women were well organised ready to, “Rock out to the songs,” as Ms McCarthy put it.

Mrs Johnson said, “We have been coming the Carol service for years as it was a family tradition.”

Her daughter Ms Johnson said, “It is kind of cool being on the footy ground this year.”

While they all agreed that Little Drummer Boy is their favourite song, they said the best part of the night was when Santa arrived.

Kardinia Church’s campus pastor Shayne Westblade, one of the organisers of the event said, “We avoided the rain, it was a great night with over 2,800 people attending, who generously donated over $1800 to the 3BA Christmas Appeal.

“There were so many people loving their family time together which made it such a fabulous event.”