The spirit of Christmas, and its message of new life, embraces all faiths and all people.
With Melbourne’s north now home to people from about 140 different nations, Hume mayor Casey Nunn last week stood beneath the giant Christmas tree at Broadmeadows town centre and sent her best wishes to all the city’s culturally diverse and colourful communities.
Among those communities are families whose circumstances don’t cover the tinsel and baubles, nor extras of any kind.
Lentara UnitingCare’s Christmas Giving volunteers helped about 600 families last year and – until this Thursday – the doors are open again at Penola Catholic College. Disadvantaged families and people without family support can select donated gifts, clothes and food hampers donated by a number of suppliers.