December's meeting was our annual Christmas celebration. It was held on Saturday evening, December 16th at Chris and George Wood's home. Tables and chairs were set out in the garden, a very inviting venue on a summer evening.
The three prize winners of the Mac Jenkins Year 10 Writing Competition, together with their parents and their Indonesian teachers, were invited to attend. Unfortunately Bec Schultz was not able to be with us, but we were very pleased to see Emily Boyles and Matthew MacKenzie accept their prizes from Irene Jenkins.
To see photos of the presentation, a complete list of winners, Emily's winning essay and the competition questions, follow the link to HOME below, then the one on the home page to MAC JENKINS WRITING COMPETITION
The presentation of prizes took place after the first course of our shared meal. Then followed desert, again with the sharing of food provided by our members. The meal finished with the beautiful BAIK Christmas cake, as usual prepared and decorated by irene Jenkins.
Next came the part of the evening most anticipated by our younger members: the arrival of a certain chubby gentlemen in a red suit and white beard. He carried a sack of goodies which he gave one by one to the children. The children's excitement and enjoyment was obvious. The adults enjoyed the spectacle, watching the interaction between the children and Santa.
The formal part of the evening finished with the singing of Christmas songs. We began with Jingle Bells, both the regular and the Australian version and finished, as we have for the last four years, with the John Lennon song So This Is Christmas.
Thanks go to George and Chris Wood for their hospitality and organisation, to Des Lowry for his role as MC, to Etty Lerk for much planning and shopping, to Irene Jenkins for the cake and to all who added to the evening by their presence including, of course, Santa.
Indonesian teachers Robyn McBurney (Kilmore International School), Jocelyn Leversha (Catholic College Bendigo) and Geraldine Coles (Kangaroo Flat Secondary College) 
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The BAIK Christmas cake
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Dominique Whitehouse with Santa
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Hosts Chris and George Wood 
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Members enjoying the evening air
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