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THANKS EVERYONE: Santa waves to the crowd during Sunday's GFG Alliance Whyalla Christmas Pageant.
Whyalla Mayor Clare McLaughlin has praised and thanked the organisers of this year’s Christmas pageant and festivities.
Mayor McLaughlin declared the rescheduled GFG Alliance Whyalla Christmas Pageant and After Pageant Fair an outstanding success and thanked the Whyalla community for turning out in big numbers after it had to be moved to last Sunday due to a washout in November.
“The whole city should thank the Whyalla Apex Club and all the council staff who pushed past the disappointment of the November postponement to butter up again last Sunday and put on a fantastic couple of events,” Mayor McLaughlin said.
BIG TURNOUT: Part of the crowd at Ada Ryan Gardens for the After Pageant Fair
“I don’t think the turnout was any less than it was on a Saturday last year and this is full credit to the organisers, all those people that participated in the pageant and the fair and, of course, everyone that came along and had a great time.
“Ada Ryan Gardens was packed for the fair and everything ran smoothly right up to the fireworks display which, I think everyone would agree, was one of the best and went forever.”
Mayor McLaughlin reserved an extra thanks for sponsors of the event, GFG Alliance, and all the Council workers who did a mountain of preparation work with many donning costumes to be a part of the colourful pageant.
“It was wonderful to see GFG Alliance Executive Chairman Sanjeev Gupta and his family in the pageant and their support of the event is so very much appreciated,” Mayor McLaughlin said.
“But what a lot of people don’t see is all the work the Council employees do, much of it in their own time, like events officer Rebecca Neilson and our brilliant float-maker Pete Santucci.
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT: Council's Events and Tourism Development Officer Rebecca Neilson at the After Pageant Fair.
“There was also an army of council workers out there putting up barriers, making sure everyone is safe, cleaning up and backroom staff like our accounts people, compliance staff, infrastructure and office staff who do their bit to make sure this event goes off without a hitch.
“The Christmas Pageant and After Pageant Fair really is a combined community effort and I’d encourage anyone interested to get involved in groups like the Whyalla Apex Club and all the groups that participated in the pageant to make these events even better.”
Anyone interested in joining the Whyalla Apex Club should call Damien Trenwith on 0412 370 780 or email damientrenwithdm@bigpond.com
PROUD SPONSORS: Executive Chairman Sanjeev Gupta (middle) leads the GFG Alliance contingent in the pageant.