The Childrens Christmas Party (aka Kids Christmas Party) is an annual event, which was initiated in 1992 by the Kiwanis Club of Brighton Victoria.

The Bayside City Council, local Rotary and Lions Community Service Clubs, Police Division, Fire Services and many local businesses, as well as Melbourne Youth Music, now support it.

It is an event so highly valued by Bayside Council, that it receives $1500 from Bayside City "Community Grants Scheme" every year.

Two years ago, at the Bayside Australia Day Ceremony held in Cheltenham, the Kiwanis Club of Brighton was presented with the distinguished "Community Service Award" for organising this popular annual event.

This celebration of good will, altruistic service and enduring friendships caters mainly for Bayside City area under-privileged children aged up to 14 years. Around 120 children are provided for. Usual features include MYM Junior Show Band, Santa (delivered by Police car) with presents for each child, an animal farm, bouncing castle, live puppet show, face paintings, and organised games.

A Sausage Sizzle, Pies, Sausage Rolls, Fresh fruit, Fairy Bread and other Party Food and Soft Drinks for the children and their families are served by Kiwanis and volunteers from the other service clubs.

The party starts at mid-day and finishes at 4:00 pm. It is held in the grounds of Peterson Youth Drop-in Centre at Peterson Reserve in Highett. What starts like one big party ends up as an enjoyable family picnic under the shade of tinsel-decorated trees, with a fun-fair atmosphere and genuine Christmas Spirit shared by all volunteers and grateful recipients.

Peterson Youth Centre is one of two drop-in centres established and supported by "Bayside Youth Foundation" and Bayside City Council.

"Bayside Youth Foundation" is an initiative of the Bayside Combined Community Service Clubs, i.e. Rotary, Lions and Kiwanis.

The Kiwanis Club of Brighton Vic Inc has been and still is very much involved in various Combined Community Service Clubs activities supporting under-privileged young people, since its Charter in 1987.

Posted: 19th Feb 2004