Mayor’s Christmas Appeal launches to help locals in need

Local can help locals with ease this festive season with the new-look Mayor’s Christmas Appeal.

Townsville City Council has revamped the Mayor’s Christmas Appeal to help make it simpler to donate directly to local community organisations that are making a difference across the city.

Mayor Jenny Hill said Christmas time was about connecting with family and community, as well as a time to give to those less fortunate.

“The Mayor’s Christmas Appeal this year is focussed on putting the spotlight on the wonderful charities across our city that work hard all year round to support locals,” Cr Hill said. “We have developed a campaign to showcase these groups more widely and have also developed a website with information and links to local charities and organisations for people to provide their support and donations directly. By generously giving to these organisations people will be able to support locals in need during Christmas.”

Cr Hill said Christmas was the perfect time to connect community, especially following a tough year.

“Our city has had a few challenging years, with the unprecedented monsoon last year and coronavirus this year,” she said.

“It’s more important now than ever for our community to come together to support each other. It’s as easy as checking the website and asking what you can give to help make Christmas brighter for everyone in our city.

“You can donate money, gifts, or food by heading to mayorschristmasappeal.com.au.

“The organisations and charities involved are in close contact with those in need across the city, so this is a great way to ensure that they are getting the right kinds of donations this Christmas season.”

For more information, head to mayorschristmasappeal.com.au.

Council to livestream Remembrance Day Commemorative Service

Pay respect to the fallen soldiers of World War I at Townsville City Council’s live-streamed Townsville Remembrance Day Commemorative Service next week.

Remembrance Day is a national commemoration of the lives lost in World War I and an occasion to honour all servicemen and women who have served Australia in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.

Mayor Jenny Hill said Council had partnered with the Townsville RSL Sub Branch to host the Remembrance Day service.

“Remembrance Day is a special day right across the country, but especially here in Townsville. We are the country’s largest garrison city and Remembrance Day is a chance for all of us to show our respect for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country,” Cr Hill said.

“This year’s service will be livestreamed on Council’s website so that the whole community can take part while being COVID-safe.”

Cr Hill said there were also other ways to commemorate the day.

“I would invite anyone wanting to show their support to either wear a poppy, or to wear red during the day. This is an easy way to show servicemembers and their loved ones across town that you’re thinking of them this Remembrance Day,” she said

For more information, visit townsville.qld.gov.au.

 

7 Tips to Tackle Fussy Eating in Toddlers

By: Dr Justin Coulson

Danielle and Jason are MasterChef fans, and feel like they have gotten in touch with their inner ‘foodie’. Their three year-old son, Jonah, does not share his parent’s enthusiasm for culinary sensations, picks at dinner, and avoids certain foods. His behaviour classifies the toddler as a ‘fussy eater’.

Indigenous art celebrated as part of NAFA COVID Safe

Delve into the art, music, and culture of Townsville’s Indigenous community when Townsville City Council presents A Celebration of Dance this Saturday.

Produced in collaboration with Big Eye Theatre, A Celebration of Dance is a one-night-only performance as part of NAFA COVID Safe.

Community and Cultural Development Committee chairperson Ann-Maree Greaney said the performance was well worth seeing.

“A Celebration of Dance is a real showcase of our region’s incredible first nations culture,” Cr Greaney said. “We’re lucky here in Townsville to have incredible groups like Big Eye Theatre who are able to deliver cultural performances that embrace, promote and educate the wider community with first nations dance and music. This performance is free to attend, but capacity is limited and bookings are essential for COVID contact tracing, which helps keep our community safe.”

A Celebration of Dance runs from 6 pm to 8.30 pm at Dancenorth on the corner of Stanley and Walker streets this Saturday, 31 October.

To book your free tickets, head to acelebrationofdance.eventbrite.com.au.