Another wonderful Wardy Christmas

Wardy’s Christmas Tree is a proud Newhaven College giving tradition that has been running for 22 years.

It began when teacher John Ward (now retired) called upon Newhaven College families to think of others at Christmas by donating a gift to families in need.

“It’s a great big thank you from me to the community,” John told The Advertiser last week.

“Twenty-two years ago I went to a conference in Wonthaggi and a person spoke on the hardship in the Bass Coast Shire. It was my second year at Newhaven College as Deputy Principal, and I went back to the College and put up Wardy’s Christmas Tree where we collected donated gifts from the Phillip Island community to give to local children in need at Christmas time.”

Every year the College is overwhelmed by the generosity of families and community members who place a gift under Wardy’s tree.

John extended his thanks to San Remo IGA and Cowes Aldi for supporting this year’s appeal, particularly his ex-students who are managing the stores.

“They’ve given a big basket full of gifts. Local communities including the Probus Club of San Remo and the school community of Newhaven College have all generously donated. So, it's been very, very successful,” he said.

“These gifts are going at 206 children on Phillip Island, plus St Vincent de Paul is creating over 100 hampers for their clients.”