Christmas party in Maude brings the heat

WITH the festive season here, the annual Maude Christmas Party run by members of the town’s fire brigade is set to return next weekend.

Running Saturday 16 December from 5.30pm at the Maude Fire Station, brigade auxiliary team member Michael Mone said the event will be a fun way to bring the community together.

“It’s an opportunity for brigade members and people far and wide from the community to come together to celebrate another year and Christmas,” he said.

“There’ll be carols, and activities for the kids like a visit from Santa on the back of our fire truck where they can get their photos taken and get a look inside the tanker.

“The main purpose is that community engagement, to bring a good time for kids and families, and maybe meet some new faces.”

Last year’s event saw about 80 attendees, and with families growing and new residents having moved into the area, Mr Mone said the brigade’s expecting about 100 people.

With dinner at 6.30pm, food and drinks will be provided as well as a barbecue and the event’s regular firewood raffle.

Hampers donated by local businesses will be auctioned off as part of a fundraising effort which Mr Mone said will go towards new equipment for the brigade.

“We’ve been looking at upgrading one of our tankers which we’ve actually put in an application and been approved for so a lot of these funds will go towards that as well as some accessories for it,” he said.

“We also have our goal to upgrade our slip-on unit which is a smaller ute we can have for turnouts.”

Entry to the Maude Christmas Party is $8 while children aged between three and 13 are $5.