Tree-mendous fundraiser

By Jessica Howard

With the festive season fast approaching, two local community groups are getting in the spirit of Christmas.

Bacchus Marsh Rotary Club and SES will kick off their annual Christmas Tree Drive on the first weekend of December.

The drive commenced in 2016 and saw the sale of 236 trees. Peter Ellerton, from the Rotary Club of Bacchus Marsh, said he hoped to see even more success this Christmas.

“Last year we raised $3,000 for each club,” he said.
“The funds raised are put straight back into the community. For Rotary, the money was used to fund a number of our local community projects including breakfast clubs at schools, literacy programs, graffiti removal and other youth services”.

Jane Fraser, Bacchus Marsh SES Unit Officer for Community Events, said the drive helped keep the State Emergency Service in operation.
“Last year we partnered with Rotary and it was a great success, so we decided to run the drive again, in order to keep giving back to the community,” she said.

The 2016 drive, alongside other annual fundraisers, allowed SES volunteers to purchase new motorbikes, trailers and a lighting tower.
This year’s event will run on the first and second weekends of December.

Ms Fraser said the project would commence at 7:30am at SES Headquarters.

“We plan to run sales until 7pm or until sold out. Last year we were sold out before 12pm”.
The volunteer organisations will also provide a pick-up and delivery service for an extra $10.

Bacchus Marsh SES Headquarters is located on Gisborne Road, Bacchus Marsh. For pre-orders, contact Peter on 0415 668 545.