By Callum Ludwig
Santa Claus is coming to town and making stops throughout the Upper Yarra in the lead-up to Christmas.
Here’s where you can have an early catch-up with Father Christmas before the big day:
Wandin residents are in luck, with the chance to see Santa at both the Rotary Club of Wandin’s Custom Car and Bike Show at Wandin East Recreation Reserve from 4pm on Wednesday 18 December and when he does a run around town on Sunday 22 December.
St Nick will be visiting the families of Seville on Sunday 22 December from 3pm.
Santa popped by for photos with attendees at the Hillcrest CFA Open Day at the end of November but will be returning to the towns of Woori Yallock, Launching Place and Don Valley as Christmas draws near.
On Saturday 21 December:
There will be one truck starting at 3.30pm with Santa on board which will travel to Henry Street and Lester Street, proceed to Alpine Boulevard and Warburton Highway and all roads on Allsops Road side. A second truck also starting at 3.30pm will travel to Phillip Road, Williams Crescent, Nester Road, Shevlins Lane and Elvian Road. He will then head to Don Valley to go to Don Road and Warburton Highway, then the township area and proceed up to Grandview Road. Then Santa will travel down Dalry Road through to Healesville Koo Wee Rup Road.
On Sunday 22 December:
Truck one and Santa will begin at Middleton Road estate and then finish up at Symes Road estate. Truck two and Santa will travel to Barak Drive to Riverview Parade, then Garden Hill and adjoining roads. Then Santa will head to Glenview Road onto Gembrook Launching Place Road, into Bellbird and all roads on the Wickhams Road side of the Warburton Highway and he will proceed to Schoolhouse Road and finish up on Lusatia Park Road.
Hillcrest CFA encourages families to listen out for the sirens on the night which will announce Santa’s arrival but Santa may be delayed if the brigade receives a fire call during this time and if Hillcrest CFA need to cancel or alter the Santa runs they will update the community as soon as they can. Residents can stay tuned to the ‘Hillcrest CFA’ Facebook page for a live tracker of Santa on the day.
Santa visited Yellingbo residents at the Yellingbo Christmas Fair held on 1 December.
Santa will be on the back of a Hoddles Creek CFA tanker saying hi to all the residents and giving out some small treats to all the kids on Saturday 21 December from 2pm onwards and if you live in the area and would like to catch up with Santa and members of the Hoddles Creek Fire Brigade, please let the brigade know via a message to the ‘Hoddles Creek Fire Brigade – CFA’ Facebook page, to Captain Graham Boyd at 0419 310 491 or First Lieutenant Brett Kerford on 0418 557 780 with a location and time that best suits and they will certainly try very hard to accommodate you in Santa’s busy schedule.
Yarra Junction will be welcoming Santa on Saturday 21 December from 10am and he will be visiting the whole town throughout the day.
Little Yarra CFA will be taking Santa on a tour of Powelltown, Gilderoy, Three Bridges and Gladysdale on Saturday 14 December from 9.30am and will be at each location for approximately 20 minutes, where he will be giving out lollies. For residents who live along any of the streets listed and can’t make it to the designated locations, please contact Little Yarra CFA via their Facebook page and they will will slow down going past your home to wave and share lollies. Due to time restraints at each location, unfortunately, no one will be allowed onto the truck, but photos can still be taken from the outside and in the afternoon Santa will also be staying around the Little Yarra Fire Station after the run for anyone wanting extra photos with Santa. Listen out for the sirens which will announce Santa’s arrival.
The locations of the Little Yarra CFA Santa stops are:
9.30am 1626 Yarra Junction – Noojee Road, Powelltown at the Little Yarra CFA satellite station
10am Leaving Powelltown travelling along Little Yarra Road then along Tarrango Road, Gladysdale to arrive at 11am at Bundaleer Road, Wesburn turning around at Buffer Break Track then returning along Tarrango Road to Hazeldene Road by 11.30am before turning around at Parkinsons Road, Gladysdale along Little Yarra Road Gladysdale turning around at Rayner Court then to Gladysdale Recreation Reserve by 12pm (Ernest Lloyd Reserve) Gladysdale and finally arriving by 1pm at Little Yarra CFA, 605 Little Yarra Road, Gladysdale for photos with Santa.
Santa will also be making an appearance at the Wesburn/Millgrove Fire Station for free photos on Sunday 15 December from 10am to 2pm, having already held one photo session on Saturday 30 November. Kids can also write a letter to Santa for him to read and put it in the letterbox to Santa right up until Christmas Eve at the fire station.
Warburton CFA has already jollied up their trucks ready for Santa’s arrival and will be taking him to the Warburton Carols on Monday 23 December as well as visiting the townships Warburton, East Warburton and Big Pat’s Creek with Santa on Christmas Eve from 12.30pm.
Reefton CFA’s Santa run will take Father Christmas to the towns of Reefton and McMahon’s Creek as well as all the way up to the Upper Yarra Dam from 4pm on Christmas Eve.
