Quick thinking and a location change had the event moved from the Marburg Community Centre to the Marburg Showgrounds. Photo: LYLE RADFORD
The Cambrian Youth Choir sing to bring in the festive season. Photo: LYLE RADFORD
Guests were treated to the beautiful voices of the Cambrian Youth Choir. Photo: LYLE RADFORD
Out of the rain and undercover - people look forward to the Marburg Community Christmas Carols, every year. This couple grabbed dinner and made it an occasion. Photo: LYLE RADFORD
Salvation Army band conductor Gary Rule led as his musicians did what they do best. Photo: LYLE RADFORD
Young, old and in between, the spirit of Christmas is felt in the music. Photo: LYLE RADFORD
THE sound of Christmas is in songs like ‘Silent Night’ and ‘Little Drummer Boy’.
Music is a key part of the festive season and on Sunday, Marburg residents took up the opportunity to enjoy the annual community carol event.
The Marburg Community Christmas Carols runs to the sound of the Bundamba Salvation Army Orchestra and the Cambrian Junior Choir.
There are also guest singers and countless volunteers who help bring in the Christmas spirit.
This year wet weather pushed the event undercover to the Marburg Showgrounds.
“We had so much rain there was no way in the world the sound equipment could be set up and people walking in the wet,” organiser Shirley Dance said.
“We approached the [Marburg] show society and they very kindly allowed us to use their area.
“It was great and everyone said, ‘why don’t we have it here every year’, so it worked out well.”
This is Shirley’s 24th year organising the carols.
“We usually have between 250 and 300 people attending,” she said.
“This year my husband reckons we had 500.
“Children are given sample bags, we started off doing 50 sample bags, when we ran out we went to 70.
“Now we give out 80 sample bags to children at the end of the event.”
Cold drinks and hot food were available, which gave families a chance to make a night of it.
Ipswich City Council Mayor Teresa Harding and Councillors Jim Madden and David Martin were there too.
As Marburg’s population grows, the happy but weary Christmas carol committee are expected to keep pace and say they’re looking forward to doing it all over again next year.
