LOCAL LIFE
The festive spirit lights up Blacktown City
The festive season is nearly upon us bringing the launch of Blacktown City ’ s Christmas Lights Competition and the Mayoress ’ Christmas Gift Appeal .
Entries in the popular Christmas Lights Competition are now open , with residents encouraged to decorate their house , townhouse or villa , or nominate a neighbour ’ s property . Residents can even join together and enter the “ Best Street ” category .
More than $ 4000 in cash and prizes is on offer across the range of categories , including : Best Townhouse or Villa , Encouragement Award , Ward Winners , Best Street and , of course , the coveted Champion of Champions prize .
Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said the competition was a great way of bringing the festive spirit to our neighbourhoods .
“ Council ’ s Christmas Lights Competition is the perfect opportunity for residents of Blacktown City to light up their streets ,” Mayor Bleasdale said .
“ The Best Street category is a wonderful way to get involved with your neighbours and I ’ m blown away each year by the standard of entries . I can ’ t wait to see the displays in this year ’ s Christmas Lights Competition .”
Entries remain open until 6 December 2023 with preliminary judging taking place from 6-13 December .
Meanwhile , the Mayoress of Blacktown City , Nina Bleasdale , is calling on residents to share the festive spirit by donating a gift to families who are doing it tough through this year ’ s Mayoress Christmas Gift Appeal .
“ This year has been challenging for so many in our community , with cost of living pressures hitting household budgets hard . The Gift Appeal is one way we can help those less fortunate enjoy a merry Christmas ,” Mayoress Bleasdale said .
Gifts can be donated for children aged from 0 to 16 years and can include new and unused toys , books , clothing and nonperishable goods . Council is partnering with three local charities for this year ’ s appeal - Butucarbin Aboriginal Corporation , Mt Druitt Ethnic Community Agency , and North West Community Services Inc .
Donated gifts can be left under the tree at various places in Blacktown City , including :
• Council ’ s Blacktown Administration Centre and Mount Druitt Hub
• Council Aquatic and Leisure Centres
Overall winner of the 2022 Christmas Lights Competition .
• Council-operated childcare centres
• Blacktown City Libraries
• Westpoint Blacktown , and
• Riverstone Neighbourhood Centre
Gifts ( unwrapped ) will be accepted until 5pm on Thursday , 7 December , so they can be distributed in time for Christmas .
For more details and gift suggestions , visit the website ; www . blacktown . nsw . gov . au / About-Council / What-we-do / Mayoress-Christmas-Gift-Appeal .
To enter the Blacktown City Christmas Lights Competition , visit : www . blacktown . nsw . gov . au / Community / Awards-scholarshipsand-competitions / Blacktown-City- Christmas-Lights-Competition .
8 ISSUE 33 // DECEMBER 2023 MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS ! theindependentmagazine . com . au BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT