Countdown on to Community Smiles Day

AMBASSADOR for the Community Smiles Day, Charlie Miller is counting the hours until this year’s event at Barrack Reserve on Saturday 25 November.

Now in its third year, the Smiles Day 2023 is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever.

“I’ve been looking forward to it all year,” said Mr Miller. “Ever since the last one finished.

“I can’t tell you how much it meant to me to be named as the ambassador but even without that, it is a fantastic event and I hope everyone comes along to the Barrack Reserve this year.

“It’s great for the kids and for the adults. I love seeing the whole community come together and make it happen.

“So many people have donated prizes and there are going to be a lot of very happy children. There’s nothing like a smile on the face of a child.”

Mr Miller is a fourth-generation showman who has been helping make up show bags and will be manning a stall supplying four different flavours of cordial.

“A gold coin donation for the hospital will be welcome but if anyone is doing it tough, it will be free.”

The Community Smiles Day, a joint project by several local groups, was created by Dr Adel Asaid of Heathcote Primary Health in 2021 with the aim of bring smiles to the faces of young people.

Free activities this year include a Santa photo booth, animal farm, live entertainment, an Royal Flying Doctor Service aeromedical simulator, and face painting.

Children up to age 18, have been busy preparing creative entries, including photos, drawings and videos, each containing a smile in some form, for the competition.

“There are lots of amazing entries with loads of fantastic ideas and love being shown,” said Community House executive officer Vicki Forde.

“I can’t wait to see those smiles on 25 November.”