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Santa drives a Bedford!
Over 24 years ago, Captain Vince Wiegold
A.F.S.M, from Umina Fire Station, (Ettalong in those days) was approached by a
neighbour to play Santa in their annual Street Chistmas Party in the Peninsula
suburb of Ettalong. Since that time, he and his Bedford have become somewhat of
an icon at Christmas time. 24 years on Vince, along with Retired Station
Officer Ian Dempsey ,as well as other volunteers who assist Santa, spends the
majority of the month of December visiting local preschools, playgroups, church
groups and other organisations throughout the whole peninsula area, spreading
the Christmas spirit and bringing smiles to many childrens’ faces.
This Santa is quite a
special one- he gives each child special attention with a short conversation,
and of course knows many of them from previous years—there would be many adults
around the Peninsula area who would remember sitting on Santa’s knee when they
were children, and Vince would probably remember every one of them! This year
alone has seen the Vintage Bedford Fire Engine take Santa to over 50
organisations with in excess of 8000 Children seeing
him.
Captain Vince does an average of 50
performances as Santa per year on a voluntary basis, taking him to his 1200th
performance this year! Through the dedication and enthusiasm of Captain Vince,
Ian Dempsey and the other Santa helpers the profile of the New South Wales Fire
Brigade is raised as an organisation which cares for and is involved with the
local community. This activity signifies in so many ways that the Christmas
spirit is alive and well in the Fire Brigade and within our local
communities!!
Article and photography by Veronique Moseley and Ross Beckley (C)
2005
Page by Weblight
Studio www.weblightaustralia.com
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