Queensland farmers doing it tough as a result of the drought will benefit from donations collected at Redland City Council’s annual Christmas by Starlight event in Cleveland later this month.
Mayor Karen Williams said Council would partner with the Rotary Club of Cleveland to collect donations at the event for the Rotary Australia drought appeal.
“The national appeal is raising money to help farmers who are suffering from drought conditions and Redland City Council wants to help,” she said.
“The Redlands Coast community is a generous one, and I know residents attending Christmas by Starlight will dig deep and donate what they can to the appeal.
“Community clubs such as Rotary are the life blood of local communities, working to provide vouchers, food and animal fodder to those communities that are being heavily challenged by these harsh conditions.
“As well as assisting rural families, money spent in these communities has a flow-on effect to local businesses, which are also struggling.”
Cr Williams also advised that due to the recent fire disasters in neighbouring regions and current fire ban for Redlands Coast, Council had made the difficult decision to cancel the planned fireworks finale at Christmas by Starlight.
“Given current dry weather conditions and the plight of others around Australia, we have made the decision to not have a fireworks display this year and offer a new surprise finale.
“We are working with our fireworks provider, a local family-run business and loyal sponsor of Christmas by Starlight, to create an exciting and magical Christmas moment for families to enjoy.”
Cr Williams said Council employees and community volunteers would also collect eligible cans and plastic containers used by event goers to recycle through the Containers for Change scheme.
“These containers will be exchanged for cash, with the funds collected also going to the Rotary appeal,” she said.
Christmas by Starlight – Redlands Coast’s largest free community event – will be held at Norm Price Park – Redland Showgrounds from 4pm on Saturday, 14 December.
For more information, visit Council’s Christmas by Starlight web page.
Mayor Karen Williams with Rotary Club of Cleveland’s Luis Filardi and Jon Womersley
