The Wodonga Carols Christmas tradition continues and this year the carols performances will go virtual and be streamed over the internet and on YouTube.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Organiser Lindsay Hanchett said in his 17 years of co-ordinating the event he thought he'd "seen it all".
"I thought we had just about encountered everything that nature could throw at us," he said.
"We've faced fires, excessive heat, floods, grasshopper plagues, smoke pollution, strong winds and more.
"A pandemic was definitely not expected but the unwavering determination from everyone involved to ensure that Covid would not prevent this traditional commnity event from going ahead, albeit in a slightly different format, was incredible," he said.
This years program will feature 15 singers who will lead 17 Christmas carols, supported by Wodonga Brass and the new Wodonga Carols Choir.
"Many of our favourite performers will be appearing and there'll also be some first timers this year," said Mr Hanchett.
"Once again an Auslan interpreter will sign the event to support the hearing impaired in our community and of course Santa will also make special guest appearances."
The virtual Wodonga Carols by Candlelight will be streamed to wodongacarols.org starting at 7.30pm and also be broadcast live on 1494 2AY and via their website. The program will be hosted by 1494 2AY's Kevin Poulter.
Search for "Wodongacarols" or go to the wodongacarols.org site.
The event is presented by Wodonga Brass and would not be possible without significant support from the City of Wodonga, Riverside Estate, Wodonga Real Estate, Hadar Homes, Bing Lee, Stewart, Tracy & Mylon and many other sponsors.
Virtual candles to help light the way
Whilst restrictions this year will prevent the physical sales of candles at the carols event, participants will still be able to purchase a virtual candle and contribute toward the fundraising for Albury Wodonga Health's Palliative Care Unit.
Organisers invite you and your family to join the annual tradition and purchase a virtual candle for $3.00 (or more) to light the way for families experiencing palliative care by clicking the link at wodongacarols.org.
Funds raised will go toward continuing to capture patient's stories and creating a memoir for their family, a project which commenced in 2018.
Seeing a loved one in palliative care can be difficult so Albury Wodonga Health embarked on the program to help ease suffering during this time.
"This is an intense and sometimes complicated process that can take a lot of time," said Albury Wodonga Health's Jenny Sutter.
"Though it is rewarding to both the families involved and the patient themselves as they are able to re-live some of their best life-long memories and these are passed on to the family to be kept forever.
"This type of program is in operation in Melbourne, but not in the regions, so this has been a great opportunity to bring it to the whole north east," said Jenny.
Maintaining a family orientated focus, the Albury Wodonga Health Palliative Care Unit have also dedicated funds to investing in the experience family members have while visiting loved ones in palliative care.
"We are creating an even more comfortable experience for families visiting the Palliative Unit.
"Many families spend many hours, days and sometimes weeks in the facility, so standard hospital furniture is not best placed to meet this need.
"Part of creating a comfortable setting for family has involved investing in new chairs, tables and innovative fold-up beds that will fit appropriately in the space."
