Christmas in July

Written by David Smiedt
Photography by Nathan Holahan

Source: Deniliquin Pastoral Times, 31 July 2007

Tucker time ... No Christmas In July would be complete without a traditional Christmas lunch. the crowd of thousands queued patiently and made their way through the service tent to the giant marquee to sit and enjoy their meal.

Gifts for everyone ... Christmas came early for everyone who attended Australia's Biggest Christmas In July. As the cars poured into the racecourse, they were stopped and handed a bag of goodies, all donated by Sydney companies and packed by a team of 60 volunteers in Deniliquin last Wednesday night. It set the scene for a day of giving and sharing. Pictured handing out the presents was Heather Humphrey.

In the tent was was the big team of volunteers, including many high school students, who served the lunch. Pictured making sure everyone had a delicious meal were (from left) Kim O'Neill, Olivia Missiakos and Wendy McKindlay.

Food for thought ... Cooking for a crowd estimated at 3500 to 4000 people was never going to be easy, and it wasn't helped when the kitchen caught fire (see below). But it didn't stop catering coordinator Pam Ellerman and her crew. Pam had organised for more than 50 local people to cook the chickens and deliver them to the racecource. Cooked on-site was spit roasted meat and the vegetables. Pictured looking after some spuds were Marl Drennan and Ken Pearce.

Celebrity line-up ... A large contingent arrived from Sydney to entertain the huge crowd, including (from left) Doug Mulray, Vince Sorrenti, Keith Armitage, (fourth from let), Jeff Gambin and Wayne Scott Kermond.

Mulray Returns

WHEN Jeff Gambin and his crew came to Deniliquin for April Showers, the idea was to have a community drought relief day for people to enjoy.

It was a day to take everyone’s mind off the drought and tough conditions.

A result of the day was the realisation that children had also been affected by the drought.

So Gambin decided we should have a Christmas in July…a day for the kids.

The April Showers committee agreed to take on the role of organising the event, and Just Enough Faith in Sydney set about getting donations – everything from presents, to food to entertainment.

Supporting Gambin at both events has been radio and broadcasting legend Doug Mulray.

“We wanted to help people in the country,” Mulray said.

“We were talking about the drought and the depression of the farmers et cetera and wanted to do something about it.

“People have a general conception that Sydney people don’t care – we do care,” he said.

In a discussion early this year that led to Just Enough Faith supporting the April Showers event, Mulray suggested a website to get everyone around Australia involved and connected via the Internet.

“I was looking for a more technical solution,” he said.

“Then Jeff came up with this idea to provide public speakers and guest entertainers to people in the country

“It doesn’t have a far reaching effect like mine did but it was still a great idea,” he said.

A-list entertainers have provided their services and companies from Sydney provided their products all in the name of helping country people.

“I’m really glad I got on board,” Mulray said.

“It has been a very powerful experience.

“It’s really moving to come down here and talk to farmers first hand

“When I was here in April I went home absolutely buzzing,” he said.

Mulray said he feels close to the Deniliquin community since his first visit in April and often finds himself logging onto the Bureau of Meteorology website to check if the region has had rain.

Fire in kitchen

COOKING for nearly 4000 people has its hazards.

At the scene ... Firemen were quick to arrive at the scene of the fire to ensure the safety of guests on Sunday.

In the midst of all the excitement of Australia’s Biggest Christmas in July, the kitchen at the Deniliquin Racecource, in which vegetables were being cooked, caught fire.

The fire brigade was called, but the cooks and their helpers were also quick to use fire extinguishers provided in the kitchen.

Deniliquin NSW Fire Station Commander Captain Bill Muirhead said their quick thinking should be commended.

Capt Muirhead said the fire had been mostly extinguished by the time fire officers arrived.

He was unsure how the fire started.

Taking advantage of new thermal imaging equipment, fire officers were able to prevent further fires in the wall.

"We checked for a number of other hotspots. We used the $17,000 thermal imaging camera we recently received.

"We found and extinguished hot spots but there was a fair amount of damage," Capt Muirhead said.

Two NSW Fire appliances attended the scene, manned by 13 officers.

They were assisted by the Rural Fire Service. Police and ambulance officers also attended.

Although the fire caused a delay in feeding the crowd, it did not stop everyone from getting their roast Christmas lunch.

Training ... The Rotary train did many many laps of the racecource, and the kids loved it. With the train, face painting, clowns and heaps of give-aways, the children had a ball.

Presents ... You can't have Christmas without presents! There was a gift for every child who attended on Sunday. Pictured eagerly opening his present was Heath Tremble.

Fusion fun ... The Fusion tent was a popular attraction for the kids. There was face painting and balloon making, even some lollies to give away. Pictured wih their new faces were Ryan Holschier and Riley Norris.

Clowning around ... When Toot and Magic Clown came from Sydney for the April Showers event he was a huge hit. So this time he brought along some support in his mate Stretch. They gave two stage performances, and also spent plenty of time signing autographs, giving away posters and lollies and generally ensuring everyone had a good laugh.

Gambin should get top award

AUSTRALIAN comedian Vince Sorrenti believes Just Enough Faith founder and Christmas in July organiser Jeff Gambin should be Australian of the Year.

"I just don't know what motivates him to do what he does," Sorrenti said on Sunday.

"No-one is that kind, he is just phenomenal.

"If it weren't for people like him there wouldn't be any charities," he said.

Sorrenti headlined in the entertainment at Australia's Biggest Ever Christmas in July on Sunday.

He said he supported the purpose of the event and wanted to do everything he could to help.

"They (organisers) have made it too easy for me," he said.

"I'm flown down and flown back up in one day.

"If it means I can help out then I'm happy," Mr Sorrenti said.

The popular comic entertainer said he thought Christmas in July was a great idea.

"I was here in April as well (for April Showers)", he said.

Sorrenti said he has a local connection to Deniliquin.

"I have a father-in-law who lives here – Mick Hornsby. So I've often driven through town," he said.
 

Xmas Snippets

POPULAR clowns Toot and Stretch were not only an absolute hit with the kids on Sunday, but they also entertained a number of adults too.

As clowns do, the pair roamed around the racecource arena annoying everyone they could.

It wasn't until they met their match in a group of face-painted, sugar-filled kids hitting them with balloon swords they decided to take a break.

  * * *

Some of the young boys received their presents, but went back for more.

Upon receiving a gift, each child was given a red cross on their hand.

The boys worked out that the texta could be rubbed off and went up for seconds.

It didn't take long for the volunteer Sydney high school students to work out the trick and sent the little trouble makers packing.

They could work out a faint cross on the hands that had already received gifts.

  * * *

One lady was so impressed by Geordie ‘Joe' Cocker and band that she was heard asking, “Is that the real Joe Cocker”.

She couldn't help but stand in awe when she was told he was just a talented impersonator.

  * * *

Vince Sorrenti was impressed by how he was treated at the event but said he only had one problem.

The jockey room where the entertainers warmed up and prepared themselves was "too cold".

"It was so cold we closed the door and a snowman was trying to break in. We had to open the fridge to keep warm," he said. 

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