AN ISLAND CHRISTMAS 2023

A CHRISTMAS LETTER FROM LILAH . . . . . Our front cover in this December Issue features Lilah Grant Lilah (just turned 8) has featured on many of our front covers, particularly in recent years. She is one of the 10 grandchildren in the Thompson family, the owners and publishers of your Friendly Bay Islander magazine and Radio FBI. To say we are proud of them, is somewhat of an understatement. All of our Christmas front covers since 2011 have featured several grandchildren. Way back then, now 16-year-old Allegra Thompson appeared regularly until she was joined by her brother, Ari Thompson. Allegra, by the way, is about to start her second year architecture degree at Queensland Uni! Lilah Grant has featured for the past eight years; her earliest when she was a tiny button with a Santa hat and placed in a Christmas stocking in 2016. And Lilah has a special Christmas message for us all: “ Hello Everyone. I hope you like my picture on the front cover, again this year. It is a treat every year for mummy, daddy, poppy and Ma Ma. Last year my cousin Oliver was on the front cover too. He isn’t here this year because Uncle Dane and Aunty Morgan are travelling around Australia with him, but they will be home for Christmas. I hope everyone on the islands has a lovely Christmas. Love from Lilah"

CHRISTMAS PARADE ON MACLEAY ISLAND The Christmas season will be celebrated right across the islands this December. It will all get underway with the annual Lions Christmas Float Parade and Markets on Saturday, December 2 on Macleay Island. Lions has joined with the Progress Association, SMBI’ Listeners and the Bay Island Auto Club for the event this year, and the parade and day will be bigger than ever. There will be prizes galore with all floats and cars being judged by a team led by Kim Richards. Because of the larger size of the parade, the route will be shorter this year, assembling at McDonald’s Farm adjacent to Scotts Road. It will then make its way at 9am to the Community Hall on the island. The island fire brigade, police and SES will be involved, with the SES team controlling the event. Island businesses and organisations will be represented with floats, colourful vehicles and lots of fun. The parade will be followed by the Lions Markets at the Macleay Island Community Hall precinct. SANTA AT WILLOW & OAK! A great place to be in the lead up to Christmas is Willow & Oak on Macleay Island. There is always something happening via Anne Webber at Macleay island Property Agents, Kopasz & Curly cafe, Poto gifts and RACKA. Adele the Barber is also back cutting hair after taking time off to add a baby to her family. Yeaaay! And Santa is coming to Willow and Oak on Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10. He will be there from 9.30am to 11.30 am each day. Willow & Oak is located at 25 High Central Rd, Macleay Island. BAY ISLAND SINGERS IN CHRISTMAS PERFORMANCES The Bay Island Singers have been progressing in recent times, and islanders will get a chance to hear them perform publicly in the lead up to Christmas OJ Rushton, with the help of Justin Fenwick have more than 20 performers up to a high standard. There will be four performances just prior to Christmas. The dates and times are: • Saturday 16 December – Russell Island Recreation Hall @10am – SDA Church. • Sunday 17 December – Robert Street Markets – 9:30am – 12pm • Friday 22 December – Macleay Island Summer Solstice on ‘the Green’ at the Macleay Island Progress Hall • Sunday 24th December @ the Russell Island RSL – Community Christmas Lunch @11.30am – 3pm ‘'