Forster beach-side cafe, Beach Bums has won the inaugural Creative Christmas Tree competition.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The popular cafe received 268 votes for its unique spin on Christmas.
Also on the winner's dias was the Great Lakes Palliative Care Support (formerly Great Lakes Hospice) which received a $1000 donation as part of the competition.
Organised by Forster Tuncurry Quota, the $1000 was made available by the service group to the business receiving the most votes to pass on to their choice of a local not-for-profit organisation.
Kate Cornell from Beach Bums presented the cheque to a delighted and surprised GLPCS president, Deidre Stokes.
The pandemic has limited our fundraising efforts, but we still have had lots of requests for assistance, Mrs Stokes said.
"In the last 12 months we have helped 70 people with additional nursing services," she said.
"Every little bit (donations) helps."
The announcement and presentation of winners in the project was held in front of a small and damp crowd in Wharf Street early last week, December 15.
Project co-ordinator Jan Irvine said the Quota Club believed the community needed a boost, following an unusual 12 months of bushfires, drought, torrential rain and the pandemic.
"On behalf of Quota I want to thank the business houses who came on board and supported this project," Mrs Irvine said.
"We hope that members of the community have enjoyed strolling along the street looking at your creativity.
"I hope the spirit of Christmas remains with each one of you throughout the festive season."
The Creative Christmas Tree project was initially designed to bring the spirit of Christmas into our shopping streets, Mrs Irvine said.
"With support from the Forster Tuncurry Business Chamber, Quota members visited all the shops in Forster and Tuncurry shopping precincts as well as other small neighbourhood centres.
"The response was overwhelming with a total of 56 registrations."
Chamber committee member, Luke Austin along with Quota president, Rowena Woods drew 10 lucky voters' names from the barrel; each received a $50 #ShopMidCoast gift cards which can be redeemed at a range of local outlets.
Alliance Strata Group conducted a raffle for a handmade reindeer , while The Professionals staff donated toys.
Proceeds from the raffle and the toys were donated to the Great Lakes Women's Shelter.
Thank you for valuing local journalism with your subscription. While you're with us, you can also receive updates straight to your inbox from the Great Lakes Advocate. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.