Carols cheer for Christmas

By Tania Martin
CAROLLERS will bring Christmas cheer to the hills next week.
The season to rejoice will begin in Emerald with a night of family fun on Friday, 12 December.
It will kick off at 5.30pm with a village picnic at Worrell Reserve, on the corner of Main Street and Belgrave-Gembrook Road.
The entertainment will start at 8pm with the Echo Youth Band, Emerald Carol Youth Choir and local acts taking centre stage.
Surround sound has been introduced for the first time this year, allowing locals to hear the concert from anywhere in the town.
Police will be in full strength this year following the alcohol-fuelled trouble last year.
Organiser Jacqui Walker said the committee hoped the audience would be in their best behaviour this year.
Fireworks will round off the night at 9.30pm.
In Belgrave a mixture of acoustic, rock and traditional carols will keep revellers entertained.
The carols are on Friday 12 December from 6.30pm at the Belgrave Town Park.
Red Indian and Inflight will perform with school, community and church groups.
In Monbulk the Rotary Club will host the 22nd annual Community Christmas Carols on Saturday, 13 December from 7.30pm.
The Patch Primary School and Mater Christi College students are busy putting the final touches on their performances.
Santa’s helper will make an appearance to visit kids who have been good this year.
In the neighbouring town of Gembrook carollers will be keeping the Christmas spirit alive on Saturday 13 December at JAC Russell Park, adjacent to the Puffing Billy Railway station, from 7.30pm.
Cockatoo Primary School students are doing their final sound check before their night of carols. The carols will be held at the school on Monday 15 December from 5.30pm, Belgrave-Gembrook Road. A barbecue picnic dinner will be available.
A traditional carol service in Emerald at the Uniting Church will round off the season to be jolly, on Sunday 21 December from 7pm.