Tree time: Drysdale Scouts getting town Christmas-ready

IT IS ALL hands on deck at the 1st Drysdale Scouts this month with the local scouting group gifting residents their own Christmas trees ahead of this year’s holiday celebrations.

Christmas tree giving has long been a staple of local scouting group activities across the region and the state, where clubs earn the bulk of their early fundraising through sales.

Group leader Wayne Simpson said trees ranged from small to extra-large and provided a great opportunity for the town’s dedicated scouts to connect with community members.

“It’s a great way for the community to support the group at a time of the year everyone starts getting into a cheerful mood.

“We do a range of fundraising activities each year, but this is our biggest one by far, and it’s a busy month or so getting everything organised beforehand through to the sale of our final tree.”

The 1st Drysdale Scouts will again open the Scout Hall on High Street (rear entrance in Palmerston Street car park) this weekend, providing residents another chance to grab their trees for Christmas.

A large portion of proceeds will be diverted to sending local scouts to the national Scouts jamboree, providing a lucky batch of eight children and three leaders the chance to attend the event next month in Maryborough, Queensland.

The remaining proceeds will go towards group operations, camps and equipment.

Mr Simpson said the scouts group will have sold close to 350 trees this year.

“Because we are scouts, the average resident prefers to come to us, rather than spend extra money for more commercial options,” Mr Simpson said.

“We pride ourselves on being active in the community and there’s nothing better than families dropping in to grab a fresh tree and taking an interest in what we do.”

Tree sales will be conducted over Saturday and Sunday this week from 9am to 3pm, or until tree stocks have been exhausted.

The 1st Drysdale Scouts is always looking for new scouts to join. Head to drysdalescouts.com for more information.