No Images? Click here As we prepare to farewell 2016, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you, your family and friends a safe and blessed Christmas season. 2016 was my third year as your Member of Parliament. It’s a privilege to represent this beautiful stretch of Adelaide’s coast and I aim to continue to embrace my role with creativity, imagination and, of course, hard work. The highlight of 2016 for me was definitely the Australia Day launch of Beach for All, which saw Seacliff become South Australia’s first accessible beach. This partnership with Seacliff Surf Lifesaving Club has been a career high for me, with the Beach for All concept now being picked up around the nation, helping more people to access the beach – often for the first time in their lives! Other significant achievements over the past year have included:
While Christmas is characterised as a time of joy, for some people – too many people – it can be a difficult time. It’s a season where memories of happier days are recalled and this can trigger a real sense of loss. If you know of someone who might find Christmas challenging, maybe you could look in on them, invite them over for a cuppa or take them a gift. There is also a free Christmas dinner at the Brighton Surf Life Saving Club for people who find themselves alone on Christmas Day (more details below). Let’s also remember those who don’t necessarily get a break at Christmas: our nurses, doctors and other hospital staff who keep our emergency departments and hospital wards open over the festive season; our paramedics, firefighters and police who work hard to keep us safe; our armed forces, some of whom are spending Christmas on deployment; and those who keep our public transport systems running. I wish you the very best Christmas possible and a healthy, happy 2017. David. I want to use my position in our community to encourage people to shop local. Last year I decided to do something about this, launching a Shop Local Campaign and putting together a Community Business Directory that was distributed to my whole electorate. I have now put this directory online in time for Christmas to make it easier than ever for people to shop locally this festive season and in the coming year. Check it out by clicking the button below. Brighton Surf Club Christmas DinnerThis Christmas Brighton Surf Life Saving Club and Brighton's Esplanade Hotel are teaming up to host a free Christmas dinner for people who might be alone on Christmas Day. The dinner will include three courses – appetisers, a main of turkey and pork, and Christmas pudding for dessert, with nippers and pub staff to serve guests at the surf club and the Esplanade Hotel to donate the food. The dinner runs from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm on Christmas Day. If you know anyone who might be alone at Christmas time or may be in need of a Christmas feast, please forward this onto them!RSVP to karendonaldson@westnet.com.au by Tuesday 20 December. Organisations interested in inviting their members should email karendonaldson@westnet.com.au as soon as possible. Photo: Mark Brake Christmas services near you - December 2016Hallett Cove Uniting Church20 Zwerner Drive, Hallett Cove Saturday 24th: 7.00 pm Service (followed by supper) Sunday 25th: 9.30 am Service Hallett Cove Baptist Church1 Ramrod Avenue, Hallett Cove Saturday 24th: 6.00 pm Carols Service Sunday 25th: 9.00 am Service Hallett Cove Lutheran Church20 Ragamuffin Drive, Hallett Cove Friday 16th: 5.30 pm Children's activities and Carols Saturday 24th: 7.30 pm Christmas Nativity Play Sunday 25th: 9.30 am Service with Holy Communion St Martin de Porres Parish Hallett Cove3 Berrima Road, Sheidow Park Saturday 24th: 7.00 pm Family Mass and 10.00 pm Vigil Mass Sunday 25th: 9.15 am Mass St Jude's Anglican Church444 Brighton Road, Brighton Sunday 18th: 2.00 pm Christmas Oratorio Saturday 24th: 11.00 pm Midnight Mass Sunday 25th: 9.00 am Holy Communion Combined Church eventSaturday 24th: 12 noon - 3.00 pm Carols at Marion Westfield cinema stairs Lighthouse Community Church26 Jetty Road, Brighton Sunday 25th: 9.00 am Christmas Day Service All Saints Anglican Church612 Brighton Road, Seacliff Park Saturday 24th: 6.00 pm Children's Service and 11.00 pm Holy Communion Sunday 25th: 9.00 am Holy Communion St Philip's Anglican Church294 Brighton Road, North Brighton Saturday 24th: 5.30 pm Children's service and 11.30 pm Sung Eucharist (Midnight service) Sunday 25th: 9.00 am Sung Eucharist (Family service) St Joseph's Catholic Parish24 Strathmore Terrace, Brighton Saturday 24th: 6.30 pm Carols and 7.00 pm Vigil Mass (at Sacred Heart College, please bring a chair) Saturday 24th: 10.00 pm Vigil Mass (at the church) Sunday 25th: 8.30 am Mass and 10.00 am Mass Brighton Uniting Church443 Brighton Road, Brighton Saturday 17th: 5.00 pm Gentle Remembrance service Saturday 24th: 9.00 pm Carols and Lessons Service Sunday 25th: 9.00 am Christmas Day service Some highlights from my year |