Hepburn Regional Community Cheer, formerly Daylesford and District Xmas Cheer, has been spreading the joy of Christmas by empowering and enabling choice for hundreds of families during the festive season since it was established in its current form in 2013.
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The Christmas period can be tough for many families who are struggling financially, so the group ensures that every individual and family can enjoy the season with generosity from the wider community through the equal distribution of donated goods, food, toys and fuel vouchers to those experiencing financial hardship and social exclusion.
THE NEED
More than 700 people will be supported by the group this Christmas.
In 2013, the organisation was created by Hepburn Shire Council’s welfare worker Annabelle Geddes who saw that there was a need for an initiative to help those experiencing hardship in the region at Christmas. By encouraging community organisations to join, the group has been able to thrive.
The group is facilitated by a Committee of Management, including President Michelle Clifford, Vice President Ian Tinetti and Secretary Margaret Thomas, and partners with other organisations including the Daylesford Community Op Shop, Community and Family Services (CAFS), Hepburn Health and the Rotary Club of Daylesford.
Ms Clifford said people interested in being assisted by the group registered with Hepburn Health before being assessed.
A number of criteria are taken into account to ensure all of the people receiving assistance qualify. The criteria includes that recipients must be receiving government benefits.
“It’s really difficult for people to register. There is a big stigma that goes along with it but we do not judge,” she said.
Roy Leyshan, a cheer volunteer, said a lot of people recognised that there were similar initiatives in Ballarat without realising that there was such a big group doing the same thing in Hepburn Shire.
“A lot of people think Christmas Cheer means providing a Christmas lunch but it’s not just that – it’s a lot more. It’s providing access to people to buy what they want for their own Christmas.”
Ms Clifford said the group was enabling choice.
I remember one lady saying to me that if it wasn’t for us, then she wouldn’t have had anything to give her kids for Christmas that year. That’s why I do it. It makes them and me happy.
- Roy Leyshan
“Just because you’re experiencing hardship doesn’t mean that you don’t deserve to have choice. A person can receive their Coles voucher and buy whatever they want for their Christmas meal.”
Additionally, the group hosts a Christmas lunch at The Farmers Arms for 50 community members.
“This is invite-only, for people that would otherwise be alone. It is a real cross mix of people – families, children, disabled and homeless people as well as people whose families live interstate. It’s about community social inclusion,” she said.
“People think this is a very rich area but there are parts that are very disadvantaged. In the last census, over 60 per cent of people living here were from low socio-economic demographics. There are a lot of single parents and a lot of people living with disabilities, but people don’t always see that because they walk through Daylesford and all they see are the glamorous cafes and expensive shops.”
FUNDRAISING
With the assistance of volunteers, the group contributes to a number of projects throughout the year to raise the funds.
From collection tins, street stalls and barbeques to a Christmas in July dinner and fundraiser, the Christmas Cheer initiative is a year-long effort.
The name change from Daylesford and District Xmas Cheer to Hepburn Regional Community Cheer will allow the group to apply for more grants.
For the past two years, if there have been any funds left over in the account after all gifts and vouchers have been purchased, the group has donated the remainder of funds to Hepburn Health’s welfare department. These funds are then distributed to welfare services throughout the community.
“A lot of people don’t realise that it’s school holidays. If you’re on a pension and you’re struggling, getting through Christmas and the New Year is a really tough period,” Ms Clifford said.
DAY OF GIVING
The day is about the children. When you’re struggling, sometimes they miss out on gifts and this puts a lot of pressure on parents.
- Michelle Clifford
On the most anticipated day for the group, the day of giving, volunteers distribute toys to the value of approximately $30,000 to children up to 11 years old and gift cards to children aged between 11 and 17.
“We fill the Town Hall full of brand new toys and individuals come through the door, show they are registered and are firstly given a Coles voucher to buy food with,” Ms Clifford said.
“Young people are given a voucher. And for each child below the age of 11, a parent is able to pick them out four or five brand new toys.”
Ms Clifford said the group doesn’t gift wrap presents like other organisations because “parents know their children and what they like best”.
“The day is about the children. When you’re struggling, sometimes they miss out on gifts and this puts a lot of pressure on parents.”
Rotary provides a barbeque so people can enjoy the experience, while hampers are also given out to cheer recipients.
The hamper includes edible treats like lollies and shortbread as well as a gift. This year, the gift is being supplied by Overwrought Gallery.
“I remember one lady saying to me that if it wasn’t for us, then she wouldn’t have had anything to give her kids for Christmas that year. That’s why I do it. It makes them and me happy,” Mr Leyshan said.
Ms Clifford said it would be great to obtain more support from businesses and a large corporate sponsorship, but they were struggling against the bigger initiative in Ballarat.