It was a warm, golden summer’s evening when the 2023 Community Carols commenced. Early estimates suggest between 600 and 800 people came to the shorelines of Jacobsons Outlook to enjoy an event of music, celebration, and fellowship.

The night kicked off with the Kinder children leading the audience in acknowledgment of country and a couple of cheerful tunes. Then followed some classic Carols sung by our beloved Lakeside Larks. Students from St. Joseph’s joined in for the last song—Silent Night—and did an excellent job signing in Auslan.

The vocal quartet Fortessima, with their lovely harmonies, entertained for the third year in a row. And MC Anna Close shamelessly shared their confession of how the Nagambie Carols is one of their favourite gigs of the year.

Honorary local Martika Cetinich, who many towns folks would know from her performances at Zephyrs Piano Bar or the recent Forever 80s show, sang three more modern Christmas tunes, including Mary Did You Know? Little Grace Close braved her fears and accompanied Tika for the intro of the Grown Up Christmas list.

The Nagambie Primary School preps acted out yet another excellent Nativity Play.

Reverend Simon Burnett replaced reverend Richard Pennington, who regretfully had to cancel his participation at the last minute due to illness. Throughout the evening, three local students, Chanel Frappell, Micah Close, and Lexi Kleinig, also did an excellent reading of the gospel of Luke and Matthew.

As the Carols were drawing to an end, it was finally time for Silvie Paladino to enter the stage. As one of Australia’s most versatile and talented entertainers, Nagambie was in for a real treat as Silvie sang three classic carols: When a Child Is Born, Hark the Herald and Holy Night.

We are so honoured to have had such a world-class performer visit Nagambie. When only one more guest was still to arrive, all the performers entered the stage to sing Santa Claus Coming to Town, and We Wish you a Merry Christmas, again as the St. Joseph students gracefully signed in Auslan.

A free sausage sizzle and the opportunity to buy ice creams from Mr Sheppy eventually made for a perfect evening. Finding the words to thank everyone involved in this event isn’t easy. So many did so much.

There are, of course, all the performers and musicians, school children, artists, choirs and readers. There are the crowd control people, photographers, first aid staff, decorators and roadies.

People carried chairs, put up posters, erected gazebos and cooked sausages. Louise Roberts took these beautiful photos, and lifeguards from Wacky Splash&Play kept the water’s edge safe.

The list is endless, and out of fear of forgetting someone, I will not mention any names except one, which is our very own 2023 Community Carols Committee. This group’s dedicated, hard-working, and multi-talented people made this event happen. Year after year after year. Thank you!

A special mention and thank you to Love by Lou Photography, who took all these gorgeous photos! Thank you, Louise Roberts!