By NATALIE GALLENTI
THE Christmas spirit has reached new heights in Melton this year with many locals coming together to give the area’s more disadvantaged residents a day to remember.
From Christmas hampers and posters to a free Christmas day lunch, Melton’s lonely and isolated residents will have food and a place to go over the festive season.
Well-known Melton identity John Southall and his wife Lynda have been busily preparing hampers in the lead up to the special day and have been handing them out to families in need.
Mr Southall also initiated a program to enable young students to draw Christmas posters now adorning shops in Melton’s CBD.
“It’s a lot of hard work,” Mr Southall said.
“We’re always calling for more people to come on board, but we’re not after recognition.”
Mr Southall said the hampers were made up of donated items and Cambridge Ward councillor Nola Dunn also lent a helping hand.
During the election Cr Dunn promised to give her allowance back to the community and she told Star this is the first project she has been involved in.
“As the need arises, I will give out the money,” Cr Dunn said.
“I want to make sure that I’m giving it to the right organisations.”
Cr Dunn said she had not made the donation public until now as she did not want the publicity but was only doing it to help others.
“I don’t require a pat on the back, I do it because I want to do it. It gives me a good feeling.”
In other community initiatives, a Christmas lunch has been organised by the Melton Community Christmas Lunch Committee. Acting-secretary Nib De Santis said the lunch was established by Sr Elise Helen of the Christ Anglican Church Melton and has the support of Combined Churches Caring Melton.
Mr De Santis said the committee was formed to assist those who are struggling and isolated during the festive season. The committee will provide a free lunch on Christmas day thanks to a $3,000 grant by Melton City Council and free use of the Community Hall. Mayor Kathy Majdlik has also donated $1000 towards the lunch. Other supporters include Melton and Djerriwarrh Lodges, Melton Lions, Melton Valley Rotary and Melton Residents Association.
The group hopes to serve 150 to 200 residents between 12pm and 2.30pm on the day. Anyone interested in registering can contact Nib De Santis on 9743 9825 or Jan Motherwell on 0407 856 188.
