The word around town is that Brickfest was a huge hit with locals and visitors alike and our numbers confirm that we really hit the mark with the event.

We had a wonderful response and so much interest on the first morning Twyford Hall was packed to the brim and the line of people waiting to get in stretched right up Market Street. 

But it wouldn't have happened without your help! I know it was technically a Pambula Rotary sponsored event, but given that proceeds are coming to the Community Carers Accommodation SE project and in my role as President of CCASE I just wanted to extend my appreciation to all the volunteers that made it happen.

Thank you to each and every one of you who gave up your time to volunteer and support this event. It truly would not have happened if you weren't there to help - and it definitely wouldn't have been as successful without you. Your involvement is a wonderful reminder of what I love about our community the 'can do' attitude, the generosity of our volunteers, the teamwork that makes things happen. 

I would also like to make a special mention of a couple of key people. To John Tanner - who planted the seed of this fantastic idea a couple of years ago and has stuck with it to see the seedling flourish;  and to Lee Beatty who supported the idea from the outset and with hard work and persistence really made sure the seedling reached full bloom. Both were there pretty much from dawn to dusk on both days of the exhibition as well as for set upt.  And thank you to Pambula Rotary for running with the event to ensure it happened.

The exhibitors also had a great time and were impressed with the crowds and the welcome they received. We are hopeful we might see the event happen again next year and will certainly be staying in touch with Angela and her team from Rainbow Bricks.

In terms of funds raised it's definitely over $4,000 which is wonderful news for the carers project.

Thank you again for your involvement and support.

This year’s Christmas lights at Castle Tura were a massive success in raising funds for The Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation thanks to many people.

First off a big thank you to Jodie Heaton and all the southern area NAB staff who raised $660 in support of our cause. Thanks to Merimbula Rotary who supplied the Wishing Well and most generously refused half the money collected that we offered them, so it could all go to the SCHF. Thanks to the wonderful lady who donated $160 online. Thanks to Merimbula News for their story about our lights, which helped raise awareness of our display and our cause.

Everyone who made a donation, if you were the one who put $50 in or one of the many others, thank you for our on site total of $1500. The grand total $ 2,320 was fantastic.

Two special thank yous, our son Rian who despite the demands of HSC and writing/producing/directing his first movie, still made time to design, install and program such a fantastic display.

A special thank you to a very special young man Ian, who drew a lovely picture of the wishing well and wrote a get well message to our youngest son Kieran. It made it all so worth the effort.

Lastly thanks to all our neighbours for your support and putting up with all the traffic. If you were the person on The Point who contacted the council about the volume of the music, please in future come and see us and we will adjust it. The last thing we want is to upset people in any way with our Christmas display and are happy to turn it or tone it down as required.