✦ Wondering what to do over the holiday season? Check out these ideas to make your festivities meaningful and memorable!
As the holiday season arrives, our communities offer a plethora of sights, activities, and experiences to enjoy. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking attractions of NSW, including stunning national parks, picturesque beaches, and unforgettable road trips like the Grand Pacific Drive. Delight in camping amidst nature's beauty and discover the charming wine regions nearby. Embark on a journey of exploring fascinating heritage, engaging in thrilling adventures, and witnessing awe-inspiring natural wonders.
Use visitNSW.com to help you pick and choose just the right activity to make your holiday season come alive!
Celebrate whole month long!
Here are some month-long celebrations and awareness campaigns that can help bring 2023 to a meaningful end as we prepare to start 2024 with more understanding, kindness, engagement and action. Which one will you be supporting this December?
THEMES AROUND THE WORLD
🚨 National Impaired Driving Prevention Month: National Impaired Driving Prevention Month aims to educate people on drunk driving and help work toward a safer future. With over 13,000 people dying in 2021 from drunk-driving-related incidents, it’s imperative that more people are aware of this pressing issue.
🌎 Universal Human Rights Month: Universal Human Rights Month commemorates the 1948 UN ruling that codified universal human rights for everyone on earth. Ever since, according to the UN, every human being on earth is entitled to a set of basic rights, which has helped us work toward a more just future.
👄 Learn a Foreign Language Month: Learn a Foreign Language Month encourages people to take on the challenge of learning a foreign language. Learning another language can help you better understand others around the world and become a more globalized citizen.
Read our blog on multiculturalism as a universal language
☁️ Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month: Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month aims to raise awareness for the disorder and promote support for those experiencing it. As the darkest month of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s important to be aware of seasonal depression and how it might be affecting you or your loved ones.
🚗 National Car Donation Month: During National Car Donation Month, people are encouraged to donate their used cars to charities. This act of kindness can help someone access a vehicle who couldn’t otherwise afford one, or even help a charitable organization.
🩹 International Sharps Injury Prevention Awareness Month: Founded by the International Sharps Injury Prevention Society (ISIPS), this month helps promote more safety considerations in product manufacturing. Through this awareness-raising, the ISIPS aims to reduce the amount of sharps injuries every year.
♊ World Twin To Twin Transfusion Syndrome Awareness Month: During the month of December, the Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome Foundation (TTTSF) raises awareness for this condition by sharing families’ stories. The twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome affects 10% of twin pregnancies, yet it is still lacking relevant awareness levels.
🪀 Safe Toys and Gifts Month: In December, we turn to the important issue of potential dangers in children’s toys, from harmful chemicals to potential choking hazards. Considering how many children have been injured by toys, and the fact that children receive many gifts during the holiday season, it’s important to make people aware of these hazards.
🧔 Decembeard: To raise awareness for bowel cancer, many people will grow beards during the month of December. Bowel cancer is a very serious issue and so raising money and awareness is incredibly important to finding a cure.
Special Days in December
Which of these special days do you feel most inspired to commemorate?
⚖️ December 15, Bill of Rights Day: On December 15, 1791, the first 10 amendments to the constitution were put in place, and called the Bill of Rights. These rights helped define the basic rights of Americans and lead the way for more amendments to the constitution.
🌿 December 16, National Wreaths Across America Day: As a day for honoring veterans, National Wreaths Across America day is celebrated by sponsoring veterans’ wreaths in local cemeteries. It is incredibly important to pay respects to those who made heavy sacrifices.
🟰 December 17, International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers: The International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers aims to prevent hate crimes made against sex workers around the world. As a group that faces extreme marginalization, sex workers are in need of protection and an end to stigma.
✈️ December 18, International Migrants Day: On International Migrants Day, we take the time to raise awareness for both the contributions and the hardships that migrants face. Migrants are a highly vulnerable group with an increased risk of exploitation and so raising awareness for their struggles is integral to their safety.
☪️ December 18, Arabic Language Day: December 18th celebrates the Arabic language, which is one of the most widely-spoken languages in the world today. This day is very important to Arabic speakers, as well as to celebrate linguistic diversity around the world.
🌐 December 20, International Human Solidarity Day: The UN celebrates International Human Solidarity Day every year in honor of their values of unity in diversity and for governments to respect international agreements. In light of many governments failing to comply with the Paris Agreement and many other agreements of the like, this day is very important.
❄️ December 21, Winter Solstice: On the longest night of the year, also known as the winter solstice, we celebrate the first day of winter. Some religions also attach spiritual importance to this day, making it important both seasonally and culturally.
🎄 December 25, Christmas Day: A Christian holiday honoring the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas is celebrated with gift-giving and family gatherings. With a story based on the struggles of refugees and the impact of kindness, this day is important for promoting peace and charity.
💉 December 27, International Day of Epidemic Preparedness: This day promotes investment in health infrastructure and emergency planning for epidemics. In light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever for all governments and people to have epidemic plans.
EVENTS
New Year's Eve Fireworks
Sydney's NYE Fireworks: As the clock winds down in December, the atmosphere in Sydney becomes electric. Check out the vantage points to watch Sydney's brilliant fireworks!
Port Macquarie's NYE Fireworks: See the sky light up in Port Macquarie again this New Year's Eve with two amazing Fireworks shows, at 9pm and Midnight. The fireworks will be set off from a pontoon on the Hastings River near Pelican Island.
Aloha Maui Jim Summer Night
Join Panoptic Vision for an unforgettable Hawaiian Summer Evening with Maui Jim! Immerse yourself in the tropical atmosphere and discover the latest collection from Maui Jim while enjoying delicious drinks and appetizers. Dive into the fascinating world of sunglass design and technology to discover the craftsmanship behind these stylish shades. Don't forget to enter the lucky draw for a chance to win an exciting prize! Experience an evening filled with warmth, style, and a hint of holiday magic. RSVP here.
Date & Time: Thursday 14 Dec, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Venue: Panoptic Vision, Lake Cathie, 1459 Ocean Dr, Lake Cathie NSW 2445, Australia
Dress code: Anything Hawaiian!
Coffee Connect with the friendliest Business Network
Get to know MBF, the friendliest business network in town! Celebrate Christmas and MBF's 20th anniversary. Come and meet other small business owners. It's free to attend. Just pay for your own coffee.
Date & Time: Thursday 14 Dec, 10am Venue: Roto House, 2 Roto Place, Port Macquarie
Dress code: Anything Festive!
PREPARING FOR BUSH FIRES
Disaster Assistance for Kempsey, Mid-Coast and Port Macquarie Hastings following severe bushfires
Disaster assistance is now available for Kempsey, Mid-Coast and Port Macquarie Hastings Local Government Areas (LGAs) following severe bushfires on 16 October 2023 onwards.
Assistance available under the DRFA may include:
Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged (eligibility criteria apply). Support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets.
Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations. Freight subsidies for primary producers.
Source: https://impactful.ninja/december-awareness-events and https://impactful.ninja/december-awareness-events
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