LOTS on around the Myall in a hot countdown to Christmas, with markets, shops and restaurants all stacked up with goodies, community groups busy, and a Christmas light competition taking off; a quick fundraising wrap up:

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• The local Red Cross Christmas raffle is on with prizes including gift vouchers kindly donated from local businesses including Lazy Paddles, Woody’s Building and Garden Centre, the Fish Coop, Port Stephens Ferries, BT’s for Fashion, Little Faith Fashion, Silk Hairdressing, the Circle of Friends, and Basic Beauty: tickets for sale at Woody’s, to be drawn 12 December.
• Tea Gardens Public School is seeking donations for their Christmas Raffle (non perishables and vouchers) and they can be dropped up at Fiona’s Family Cafe anytime between now and 4 December.
• The Lions Club Christmas raffle prizes are a model boat plus $300 worth of BCF vouchers with tickets selling online, to be drawn 18 December: go to https://www.rafflelink.com.au/supportlocallions
• Myall Community Arts and Craft Centre are hosting their Salvation Army Christmas Toy appeal, please drop off unwrapped toys at the Centre at 245 Myall Street, Tea Gardens.
• The annual Men’s Shed garage sale is on 5 December, with tools and great gift ideas for sale at 25 Wanya Road, Tea Gardens.
• Purchase a natural pine Christmas tree (also from the Men’s Shed!), contact 049 2939 333 (the ‘men’ have advised that for your peace of mind, the trees have been socially distancing during these worrying times).

Online local social media activity took off this year (thanks to all that social distancing), with a record 2000 users registered last week on the Tea Gardens / Hawks Nest Community Noticeboard on Facebook.

All the local sites are administered by volunteers who are keen to ensure no trolls, no bullies, and remember children may read what is posted.

Children are being encouraged to read books with the MidCoast Council launching their Summer Reading Club Challenge with the theme,’Tales of Wonder’; go to http://www.midcoastlibraries.com.au to participate.

Still on Council, and the Progress Association continues to seek community support to prioritise local needs with reference to the Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan (PAMP) / Bike Plan.

Volunteers operated a ‘pop up’ consultation table at the Myall Quays Shopping Centre with 80 submissions received from engaged locals.

Gordon Grainger told NOTA, “We were overwhelmed by the community support which exemplifies the need for the MidCoast Council to complete pedestrian works that should have been done years ago.”

Community input is critical to ensure pedestrian infrastructure needs are clear and prioritised with strong community support: submission close 11 December.

Locals are being urged to lighten up as we see 2020 out, with Tea Gardens – Hawks Nest Property, and Myall Coast Legal, hosting a christmas lights competition.

The Christmas Light Spectacular is on with awards for the best decorated home and for the best decorated business: contact 02 4997 0228 or email info@tghnp.com.au for an entry form.

Entry forms must be in by 15 December with the winner announced on Christmas Eve, so start decorating and sharing photos.

Looking ahead to Australia Day 2021, and the Tea Gardens – Hawks Nest Lions Club is now seeking nominations for the Citizen of the Year, and the Young Citizen of the Year

Leone Webb, Lions Club Secretary, stated, “We are fortunate to have so many great community groups, volunteers and service workers who make a real difference to others, especially this year with the impact of COVID-19. This is your opportunity to recognise their efforts and build our community, so start nominating by emailing Teagardenslionsclub@gmail.com for an application form.”

Applications close 8 January 2021 in time for Australia Day 2021.

By Sandra MURRAY