Almost every child in the Upper Orara district and many of the adults were present at the hall one Tuesday night last for the Christmas Tree organised by the Parents and Citizens Association.
This function, besides being the “breaking up” function of the school, has become the first function of the festive season at Upper Orara.
The gaily decorated Christmas tree, laden with brightly coloured parcels of gifts; Santa Claus in his traditional costume; the pretty party frocks of the girls, and sweet and tuneful singing, all added their quotas to a function which is gaining in popularity each year.
The night’s entertainment was carefully planned, so that each and all present shared in the entertainment. Firstly Santa Claus (played by Mr. Leo. McCann), arrived and distributed gifts to all the children. He was lustily cheered by all the children on arrival and departure.
The next unit on the program me consisted of a number of concert items by the pupils of the school.
The infant pupils, in appropriate costume, presented a medley of nursery rhymes and followed with a number of Christmas poems and carols. The little people; concluded their program me with some figure dancing.
The school choir under the direction of the headmaster, Mr. J. Rankin rendered three brackets of numbers which included “Silvery Moon,” “The Merry Peasant,” “The Cuckoo Waltz” and the “Doggie in the Window.” Their presentation concluded with two Christmas songs “A Little Town of Bethlehem” and “Christmas Day.”
A humorous dialogue, “The Quack Doctors,” was very much enjoyed and the young actors were loudly applauded.
The parts were played by Ralph Ide “Dr. Fixum,” Larry Thornton “Dr. Curem,” and girls, Margaret Gibson, Margaret Muir, Bev. Williamson, Mary Small, Irene Small, Bev. Ide and Betty Lawlor.
At the end of the children’s programme they all received a well merited round of applause.
Mr. R. Ide, president of P. and C. Association, then invited three little pupils, Jill Hoschke, Margaret Muir, and Beverley Ide to make the presentations to the teachers.
Each little girl in an appropriate speech thanked their teachers for all they had done and wished them the compliments of the season and a happy holiday. With each little speech an appropriate gift was handed to each teacher. Jill Hoschke, a vase to Miss Kelly; Margaret Muir a cake plate to Mrs. Rankin; and Bev. Ide a model setter dog to Mr. Rankin, the headmaster.
The teachers suitably respond ed and returned the greetings to pupils, parents and friends.
Dancing and games for child ren and adults added to the merriment of the night, which concluded with a sumptuous supper served by the lady members of the P & C Association.
APA citation
EVERY CHILD DISTRICT PRESENT AT XMAS TREE (1953, December 22). Coffs Harbour Advocate (NSW : 1907 – 1942; 1946 – 1954), p. 1. Retrieved December 20, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article187941646.
