This year the Ovens Murray Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) team celebrated their first Children's Christmas Party on 8 December 2019 in Wangaratta.
After setting up the Wangaratta office in late 2018 and providing services to the community over the last 12 months, VACCA were happy to host the festivities with the Ovens Murray community.
Over 85 children and their families from across the area joined in on the festivities at Bachelor Green Park in Wangaratta.
Local Bangarang women Amy Ferguson opened the day with a Welcome to Country, and Teisha Maksymow-McGuinness performed a smoking ceremony.
A range of entertainment was provided on the day with Christmas carols, a performance by the Wagarra dance troupe from Albury Wodonga, traditional face painting, Christmas and cultural craft activities, train rides, jumping castle, and a chill zone.
After a BBQ lunch, the children had the opportunity to have a photo with Koorie Santa and receive a gift.
We would like to thank our volunteers who gave up their time, and businesses and organisations that provided services, donations, or supported us in the lead up and on the day – it is your help that made it extra special for VACCA and our children, young people, families and community.
Special thanks and mentions to Chris Thorne as our Koorie Santa, Wagarra dance group, Everyday Gourmet, North East Water, St John’s Ambulance, Kat DeNapoli Photography, La Bella Roca, Wangaratta Jumping Castles, Apex Club, Fallon’s Bus Lines, Flying Fruit Fly Circus, VicPol Wangaratta, Rural City of Wangaratta, Noise Box Productions, Warren Rickard, Marcus Toi, Tots2Teens, Cathedral College Wangaratta, Jasmine Clancy, Maggie Worley, Deon Van Den Berg.