SYKES – CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

Christmas is a time to enjoy being with our family to celebrate the birth of Christ and of course, to give and receive presents including some from Santa.

Whilst the pre-Christmas party season can be great fun and we all look forward to receiving Christmas presents, the best part of Christmas for me, is to catch up with my family and close friends and to share the year’s experiences.

Sally and I are proud grandparents of Aeisha, daughter of Christie, and our eldest daughter Elissa, with a little help from husband Dean, is due to have a baby in February. We will all get together at Christmas and also telephone our son Ben who is in Finland.

At the same time we enjoy Carols by Candlelight in the gardens and the anticipation of Christmas that builds as the 25th of December approaches.

It is extremely disappointing that the spirit of goodwill of the current festive season has been marred by a minority of headstrong, violent people causing problems in Sydney.

Having been fortunate enough to visit many overseas countries, I have been repeatedly humbled by the warmth and generosity of ordinary people of every faith.

I encourage Christians to invite people of other faiths to join in our celebration of Christmas.

Similarly, I encourage everyone to join in the celebrations of key events in other faiths when the opportunity arises.

I also encourage everyone to welcome into their homes people who may not have family close by, as Christmas can be a very lonely time for many people, so please share your family and your love with a friend or neighbour who may be otherwise on their own at Christmas time.

I wish everyone an enjoyable and safe Christmas / New Year and my staff and I look forward to continuing to work with and for you in 2006.

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989