Survey released for future carols look

CAROLS by Candlelight Geelong is conducting a survey for public consultation for the first time in its 60-year history, as it assesses making permanent changes to the annual Christmas event.

YMCA Geelong community engagement officer Alisha Nurnaitis said the new feedback approach gives the beloved carols event a chance to evolve.

“Carols by Candlelight Geelong is a community event for the community,” Ms Nurnaitis said.

“We just really want to know what everybody wants and how we can make the event the best it can possibly be.

“It’s very much family focused; we want to make sure it is family inclusive; the community is 100 per cent at the centre of our intentions.”

The anonymous survey asks residents 10 questions, ranging from overall feeling of the 2023 event, to the location the event should be held, and the event’s date.

Carols by Candlelight Geelong has been held at several locations around the Geelong area over the years, predominantly at Johnstone Park, GMHBA Stadium, and virtually over the pandemic-affected years.

Ms Nurnaitis said the survey takes into consideration all facets of how the event is run.

“Some of the questions asked in the survey focus on areas we are eager to improve on, such as the date, which worked surprisingly well when we had to change it last minute last year to December 23,

“We saw it worked well for a lot of families to host it a day earlier than usual as it did not clash with a lot of prior family events.

“The location and the entertainment are other things we are eager to hear from the community about, but perhaps some of those things are running well already – we just want to know how we can make this celebration even better.”

Anyone who fills out the feedback survey before May 22 can receive a free trial for any of The Y Geelong Recreational Gymnastics classes for children aged 3-12.

To do so, screenshot the finish page of your survey and bring it into YMCA Geelong reception to claim.

To access the survey, head to YMCA Geelong’s Facebook page.