Foreshore packed for Carols by the Jetty

Nearly 3000 people joined the festivities at the annual Carols by the Jetty concert on Saturday night.

The event has grown steadily in popularity year on year.

The afternoon started with free children’s activities on the Busselton Foreshore.

Provided by the organising churches, the fun and games included rock climbing, an obstacle course, a soccer game, and face painting.

Busselton Mayor Phill Cronin officially opened the Christmas concert with an acknowledgement of country, and a short festive speech that gave the audience a chuckle..

Students from West Busselton primary were first on to the amphitheatre stage.

In front of the packed foreshore, the student choir performed couple of festive songs to rousing applause.

Next a choir from Vasse Primary school sang “He’ll be coming down the Jetty when he comes.”

Master of ceremonies Adam Uren then introduced on to the stage the band, and a supporting choir.

The band and choir were made up of musicians from local churches.

Nick Costa, on lead guitar, was joined by vocalists Amy Costa and Rachael Bowman, Eliot Vlatko on mandolin, and Liz Bint on the keyboard. Sherinne Jones played bass, and keeping them all in time was Connor Hanson on the drums.

Saxophonist Vicky DeVilliers was delighted to be perform with the diverse group of musicians for the first time.

“Its been great to be able to play with the rest of the band,” she said. “We have rehearsed together a few times now.”

The choir was led by Isalyn Fitzpatrick.

The group kept the crowd singing and dancing with a selection of traditional carols played with a modern twist.

The crowd sang along, using lyric sheets.

The Carols by the Jetty concert is a Christmas gift from the combined churches of Busselton and Dunsborough to the whole community.

The 14 churches worked together, with sponsorship from the City of Busselton and local businesses.

The organising committee members from local churches are Jakky and Adam Uren, Simon Holmes, Amy Costa, Ros and Kevin Dwyer, Gail Gifford, Mark Colyer, and Heather Urquhart.

Event co-ordinator Jakky Uren is in her second year as event manager, with her husband Adam Uren who looks after the stage operations.

“There is something special about Christmas time, and we are really excited about people connecting with one another at the concert,” she said.

“The message of hope that Christmas brings is very important to share. It’s magical to see the joy these Carols bring to people.”

Each year the event raises funds, that are donated to the community with more than $1100 raised on Saturday.

This year the funds will be going to support the work of the Busselton hospice, and CEO James Jarvis was grateful for the donation.

He thanked the Carols by the Jetty organisers, on behalf of the board, staff, and volunteers at Busselton Hospice Care Inc.

“This donation is equivalent to helping five people with a life limiting illness and their loved ones for a whole year,” he said.

“Amazing. Thank you.”