The Jeparit community came together last night to continue a Christmas tradition which dates back to 1949.
The annual MOPOKE Club Christmas Party was held at the Jeparit recreation reserve and saw many local families come along to join in the festivities.
Above: Rick Day and Paul Schulze welcome Santa to Jeparit.
The MOPOKE club was established in 1949 by a group of local men, who decided to form a club to provide Christmas presents and unbiased Christmas cheer to all children, in the spirit of Christmas. The unusual name for the club came from letters from the names of the founding members.
Local policeman Graham Blair was a popular target on the dunk tank, with many children having a go at hitting the target to dunk him.
Above: Jeparit policeman Graham Blair drops into the dunk tank, with some help from a keen child, and Leading Senior Constable Clark...
Santa flew over the recreation reserve soon after 7pm and, after a couple of laps, went to land before returning aboard Jeparit's old fire truck.
Above: Santa flew over the recreation reserve before arriving on the back of the fire truck.
Around sixty children from babies-in-arms to eleven years of age received a present from Santa.
The 1-to-400 raffle was drawn and the Christmas light winners announced, before the jumping castle was re-inflated for the children.
Christmas Light Winners
Best Light Display - Barbara Hunter (Edith St.)
Nativity and Lights Display - David and Marie Livingston (Upper Roy St.)
Best first time entrant - Janelle Phillips
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