General News
6 December, 2025
Gilgandra Alive returns with ‘Cruisin’ in Christmas’
Gilgandra’s festive season officially began on Sunday, November 30, as the second annual ‘Cruisin’ Into Christmas’ concert filled the Gilgandra Shire Hall with music, laughter, storytelling, and community pride.
Hosted by Gilgandra Alive, the event once again showcased the extraordinary depth of local talent while raising funds for the Gilgandra and District Cancer Fundraisers.
From the moment MC Jess Camlin-Reed welcomed the crowd, the tone was warm, humorous, and joyfully local, with heartfelt thanks offered to the many contributors behind the scenes, including the Gilgandra Alive committee, tech maestro Peter Gaff, the Gilgandra Evening Branch of the Country Women’s Association for their afternoon tea, and the Gilgandra Community Op Shop whose generous grant helped upgrade sound and music equipment for this year’s show.
The concert opened with the lively trio of Jess, Cameron Wendt, and Nicole Crisp, delivering a spirited ‘Santa Claus Is Coming to Town’ before handing the stage to the always-impressive Coo-ee Choir with ‘Sun Gleams Bright’ and ‘We Three Kings’.
Standout musical moments followed in quick succession: a soaring duet by Nicole and Cameron with ‘The Prayer’, a sweet family rendition of ‘Away in a Manger’ from Bianca and Freyer Williams, and a heartfelt reading of ‘Covid Confusion’ written by Anne Younghusband and performed by Jess.
Instrumental excellence shone through with Janet Cheal and Dr Julie Verran performing ‘Humoreske’ and the ever-cheerful ‘Clarinet Polka’, while Stephen Bignall delivered a moving rendition of ‘The Widower in the Country’.
The first half closed with a delightful skit from Emily Horan, duets by sisters Janet and Naomi McCutcheon, and a light-hearted performance of ‘Hello Mother, Hello Father’ by Dr Patrick Giltrap. A well-earned break allowed the audience to enjoy the beautiful afternoon tea provided by the Gilgandra Evening Branch CWA before returning for an equally engaging second half.
Laughter resumed with a playful piano skit from ‘new piano master’ Patrick (and Janet), followed by a string of stellar vocal performances: Nicole and her son Charlie on guitar with ‘Stand by Me’, Jess Watson’s soulful ‘Blue Christmas’, and Cameron’s touching rendition of ‘The First Noel’.
Jess Camlin-Reed brought charisma and cheek with ‘Santa Baby’, before Stephen Bignell and Jess Watson paired up for ‘Rest Well Ye Merry Gentlemen’.
Stephen also sang ‘Aussie Jingle Bells’, on behalf of Beth and Dorothy Reed, who were unable to perform due to sickness.
Pianist Janet Cheal returned with a gorgeous Christmas medley, setting the stage for Maxine and Alanna Elsom’s beautifully blended ‘Silent Night’ and ‘Summer Wonderland’.
One of the evening’s standout emerging talents, Janos Rajan, impressed audiences with a grand piano performance, while Michelle Woollams on piano, violinist Debbie Chapman and vocalist Andrea Carcas, offered a stirring rendition of ‘Mary Did You Know’.
The concert concluded with the Coo-ee Choir returning for ‘On Christmas Night Cicadas Sing’, ‘Rudolph, the Red-nosed Reindeer’, and ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’.
In her closing remarks, Jess offered thanks to everyone involved and reminded the crowd that the night’s donations support families facing cancer within the district.
Her final sign-off - assuring the audience that if Santa asked, everyone had been perfectly behaved - ended the evening on exactly the cheerful note the season deserves.
