merry christmas and best wishes for 2011

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year.

It's been a tough year for many, the impact of the global financial taking its time to filter through our communities. I know from talking to our local relief agencies that they've seen an increase in demand on their services and have had a greater workload helping those in crisis as more people struggle financially.

We're a very generous community in the Dandenong Ranges with great spirit and willingness to help out and volunteer our time. If you can, please give some support to our local relief agencies, Mission Impossible and the Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service, they do great work with compassion and care and provide that vital safety net for those in need.

Wishing you all the very best for the festive season, I'll be back to regular writing in January, 2011.