Pyrmont prepares for Christmas celebrations

Next Sunday Jacksons Landing in Pyrmont will play host to the Pyrmont Community Christmas celebration.

Traditionally held at Cadi Park on the edge of Sydney Harbour, the event is relocated this year up the hill in nearby Refinery Square.

Event organiser Jenny Blain said she expects more than a thousand people to attend the new venue.

“We have a wonderful day planned and it’s been really successful in the past,” she said.

“This is the first year with a new venue and a new organiser – so it’s all new.”

The event will feature performances by the NSW Police Band, New Young Northside Big Band, as well as both the Children’s and adults Pyrmont Sings! Choir.

There will be a number of events catered towards children with special kits being created and handed-out on arrival with children being encouraged to trace their hands onto coloured cardboard which will be hung on the Christmas tree.

There will also be a special Nativity corner where guest presenter Christopher Waterhouse from the Sydney Theatre Company will read stories.

Santa will be there – arriving on a Fire Engine and later departing on a Harley Davidson.

Pyrmont resident Mary Mortimer said community fundraising would also be a prominent part of the day’s festivities.

“The Salvation Army and the Ultimo Men’s Shed will be having a sausage sizzle for the traditionalists out there,” she said.

The event is also focused on assisting local and national charities with last year’s event raising $12,000 for both the Salvation Army and the Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia.

Proceeds will be divided between the Harris Community Centre, the Salvation Army and the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation for 3 projects: a dictionary of local language on Elcho Island to contribute to better education outcomes for the local children, a pre-school in Kempsey for aboriginal children and helping work the ALNF is currently doing with literacy and numeracy help to Sudanese refugee children.

By Simon Black