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It was business, with pleasure thrown in, as usual for City of Whyalla councillors and the CEO as they attended Saturday’s Whyalla City Plaza Christmas Street Party.
Councillors Jenny Barnes, Tom Antonio, Robert Schmitz, Rick Santucci and CEO Chris Cowley set up shop in the main street to meet and greet community members while also enjoying one of the highlights of the festive season calendar.
Led by Mayor Lyn Breuer, who was at the Regional Heartkids Christmas party at Ada Ryan Gardens on Saturday, council has enjoyed a positive year connecting with the community at a variety of official and informal functions.
“It was fantastic to see the community turn out for the street party on Saturday, it was a glorious day and there were some really creative and fun Christmas outfits,” Deputy Mayor Jenny Barnes said.
“And thanks to all of the wonderful community members who stopped to speak with us, it's always great to be able to have a chat and receive feedback in a relaxed informal environment like this.
“I would like to thank my fellow councillors and the Council CEO Chris Cowley who also took part in the kerbside forum, we are all happy to work together and interact with our community.”
A spokesperson for the Whyalla City Plaza Traders said the afternoon timing of the event had made it a real family day with lots of children dressing up in the fancy dress theme and winning prizes. It is estimated more than 1000 people turned up during the day for the entertainment, activities and to enjoy what the shops in the Plaza had to offer.
“The kids’ activities were busy all day and everyone was smiling and happy,” the spokesperson said.
“The church and childcare story time in the old library building was also very popular.
“A huge thank you to everyone that participated and came … it was a great day and a great effort put in by all.
“I think the letter we had posted on our Facebook site (below) said it all.”
PICTURES - Above: Councillors Rick Santucci, Tom Antonio, CEO Chris Cowley, a friendly visiting elf and councillors Robert Schmidtz and Jenny Barnes at the Whyalla City Plaza Street Party on Saturday. Below: Happy, smiling people at the street party. These pictures courtesy of the Whyalla City Plaza Traders Facebook site.
Excerpts from a letter posted on the Whyalla City Plaza Traders Facebook site:
We had a lovely day at the Christmas street party yesterday … we stayed from just after 11am until almost 3pm. The kids had turns on both of the free jumpy castles, had their faces painted for free, rode the little animals in one of the shops for only a gold coin donation (actually I couldn't get them off of them, they loved them so much we went back), we had a lovely lunch in a cafe and enjoyed the outside entertainment. My little niece won a $50 voucher just for putting on a lovely Christmas dress and getting on the stage to be judged … Thank you city plaza traders for your effort yesterday. We had a great day.
