Sweet 60: Carols by Candlelight six decades strong

THE greater Geelong community will be in the Christmas spirit, a day earlier than originally planned, for the 60th anniversary of Carols by Candlelight Geelong.

The Carols by Candlelight team told the Geelong Times today (Thursday, December 21) it made the decision to bring the event forward a day, due to concerning weather predictions as an alternative decision to cancelling the event.

Residents are still expected to pack out Geelong’s Johnstone Park this Saturday for the return of YMCA Geelong’s annual free concert event, featuring a host of performances.

Beginning at 8pm, artists such as Kate Daley, The Mik Maks, Soul Sister Swing, Sam Cocking & Angie Hilton, Tim McCallum, and 13-year-old Xaidy Salajan will entertain the crowd. with some of the best Christmas tunes.

Ms Daley, a Geelong resident herself, has been part of several Carols by Candlelight, saying she feels extremely fortunate to be asked to perform at this year’s Carols by Candlelight Geelong.

“I have known artist director Gayle Burrill forever and I’ve been singing around Geelong for quite a few years now, and it’s an absolute privilege to be invited to the 60th anniversary of Carols by Candlelight,” Ms Daley said.

“It’s going to be a really special night, I’ve done a few of these carols before and it’s always an amazing spectacle, but I have a feeling this year’s event is going to take the cake.”

Ms Burrill said the aim of this year’s event would be to pay homage to the six decades of the carols’ history, securing an array of artists who have taken part in this event in previous years.

“It’s absolutely inspiring.

“We have so many people who have been a part of this event for so many years, we wanted to include a lot of the Geelong acts who have performed here over the years, as well as some new ones.

“It should be a fantastic celebration, we’re expecting double the amount of people compared to last year, and we’re also welcoming one of the mainstays of Carols of Candlelight in Noel Hooper up on stage with us.

“There were two men who started this 60 years ago, then after six years, Noel joined, and he has stayed with the event right up until COVID-19 before going a bit more into the background.

“So, we’ll be celebrating him on the night, and what he has done to keep this event going strong all of these years – all in the backdrop of the beautiful Johnstone Park.”

Among the performers is 13-year-old Geelong College student and singer Xaidy Salajan, who got the callup during one of her classes.

“I was at school, and I got an email from Gayle. After I read it I just burst into tears, as soon as I found out, I accepted the offer straight away,” Xaidy said.

“As soon as I got home I started deciding what songs I was going to sing, the clothes I was going to wear, how I was going to do my hair, it was very exciting in the moment and I’m still excited now.

“There’s a few nerves, but I have a wonderful support base behind me with friends and family. I’m really looking forward to it.”

For more information about this year’s Carols by Candlelight, head to carolsbycandlelightgeelong.org.au