Carols return with plenty of indoor Christmas sparkle

By John Lewis

Dec 20, 2021

Family-friendly: Missy Bowshall, 7, from Melbourne and Elspeth Gibbs, 7, from Shepparton enjoy the warm family atmosphere at Eastbank Centre in Shepparton. Photos: Rodney Braithwaite Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

It wasn’t the usual Carols by Candlelight in the gardens under the Shepparton night sky, but it hasn’t been the usual sort of year.

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A stormy weather forecast on Sunday meant the popular annual Christmas community outdoor celebration in Queen’s Gardens was moved indoors to the Eastbank Centre in Shepparton.

The move didn’t stop more than 700 people enjoying a colourful night of traditional carols and costumes performed on the Eastbank stage with the audience seated on the floor.

People unable to attend were able to join in via a livestream link on the Greater Shepparton City Council website.

Candle kid: Oliver Law, 4, from Shepparton enjoyed the night with his family. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

As the festivities kicked off at 6.30pm, there was the usual tinsel, glow sticks and sparkle as the large crowd was entertained by a star-studded cast of local entertainers, including Nicky Pummeroy, Renee Rankin, Daniel Kilpatrick, Turaton Choir, Shepparton Brass and Wind, Fortessima, Mistykid, Goulburn Valley Pipes and Drums, Nigel Parsons and Encounter Group, hosted by Emma-Jane Knight-Law and Warwick Long.

Greater Shepparton City Council’s festival and events officer Matt Ashcroft thanked the community and Riverlinks staff for their patience on the change of venue at short notice.

“The performers were outstanding and delivered powerful renditions of the traditional carols and some upbeat modern Christmas songs that kept the crowd singing, dancing and clapping along throughout the night,” he said.

He said the Carols by Candlelight performance was still available to watch on council’s website and Facebook page.