Santa Claus is coming to town

SANTA Claus is on his way to the Surf Coast and Torquay Fire Brigade will be making it all possible on Christmas Eve.

The local brigade’s annual Christmas Eve Santa Run is back for a seventh year with two runs on the cards for residents of Torquay and Jan Juc, both beginning at 4.30pm next Saturday (December 24).

Torquay Fire Brigade’s Third Lieutenant David Muir said the local Santa Run allows residents to meet his fellow volunteers in a different light.

“It’s an event that just builds and builds and builds each year, so much so that in recent years we get anywhere up to 200 kids at any one spot, for instance Horseshoe Bend Road last year,” Mr Muir said.

“From the brigade’s perspective, it’s an exciting time because usually we’re meeting the public when times are not good, but events like this allow us to meet them at the best of times and with smiles on the kids’ faces.

“It’s great fun for us and a great way for our members to start their Christmas periods too. It makes them feel like they’re doing something nice for the community and they can let their hair down a little bit.”

Torquay’s Santa Run will commence at 4.30pm, and will stop at:

4.30pm – Djila Tjarra Skate Park Playground (Merrijig Drive)
4.45pm – Quay Boulevard Playground
5.00pm – Sands Park (on Sands Boulevard opposite no. 42)
5.15pm – Grinders Playground
5.30pm – Flying Fox Park (White’s Beach Playground)
5.45pm – Pirate Ship Park Reserve
6.00pm – Rocketship Reserve (Playground on Marine Drive Side)

Jan Juc’s Santa Run will also begin at 4.30pm, and stop at:

4.30pm – Torquay Primary School (Soccer Oval)
4.45pm – Frog Hollow Reserve
5.00pm – Manna Gum/Ocean Views Playground
5.10pm – Bob Petit Reserve
5.25pm – Jan Juc Creek Playground
5.35pm – Diggers Way Walking Track (Next to no. 55)
5.45pm – Sarabande Reserve
5.55pm – Elephant Walk playground
6.10pm – Point Danger

The brigade is encouraging the public to make no direct contact with Santa Claus or the volunteers due to ongoing 1.5m social distancing recommendations.

“We have had to deal with situations during the pandemic that no one was allowed to even come into our station unless it was an emergency, this is just an offshoot of that for the safety of our volunteers and the operations of the brigade,” Mr Muir added.

Torquay Fire Brigade asks residents to keep an eye on the brigade’s Facebook page, in case there are any last minute changes to the Santa Run.