In 1997 the Rotary Club of Wetherill Park was approached by local residents to help with the organising of their Carols By Candlelight. Rotary formed a committee of both Rotarians and local community members that has now established the Carols In The Park at Horsley Park Showground as a major event within the Fairfield district.

This FREE function is promoted as a relaxed “laid back” night where families can enjoy the acts on stage, or just catch up with old friends, whilst taking part in carol singing and supporting local charities.
The entertainment consists of acts by both of the local primary schools and a local dancing school, and carol singing led by a community group. The Rural Fire Services are popular for their ever-changing demonstrations of their fire fighting abilities, and static displays are featured from St John Ambulance Brigade, SES, and the NSW Police Service. Santa usually appears on the back of a fire-truck immediately after the spectacular fireworks display.
Carols in The Park 2006 attracted sponsorship from major companies such as locals Wizard Home Loans (Bossley Park), LG Electronics, Bing Lee, Smithfield RSL and Club Marconi. Added to that are significant contributions to the event by Telstra, The Fairfield Advance, Nada Concrete, and local businesses from the Wetherill Park, Horsley Park and Fairfield districts including Shaw's Darwin Transport, Sydney Belle Wedding Cars and Country Lane Properties.
Radio station 2SWR broadcast the event LIVE from 7pm for the third year running on FM99.9. Crowds of over 2,400 now regularly attend, streaming early for the Pony Rides, Facepainting and Clowns before settling down to witness acts like the renowned Green Valley Youth Choir, local group The Eastern Charms (who lead the lights-out Carol-Singing session along will Vince Foti) and local schools, all compered by well known radio and club personality Pete Graham. Pete is now entrenched as a crowd favourite, and has donated his services as MC for the last four years.
Of course, the tangible result of the night is the fund-raising. In 1999, we raised ust $3,500 net. These nights now regularly net around $10,000 which is distributed among our beneficiaries - Rural Fire Services (Horsley Park), youth and community projects of the Rotary Club of Wetherill Park, and another beneficiary chosen each year. 2006 was Braeside Hospital.
However, the intangible benefit of Carols In The Park is the sense of “community” and goodwill that is felt by all who attend. At the close of the evening, long after the entertainment has finished, families are still lingering with picnic tables, chairs and blankets, reluctant to end the night, after renewing old acquaintances or making new friends.
Every year we attract bigger crowds, raise more money and have more fun!
Why don’t you become a part of it? Come and join the thousands of mums, dads and kids from about 5pm-10pm. FREE ENTRY, FREE PARKING. Clowns till 6.30pm, pony rides till 7.30pm, facepainting, hot and cold food and drink, ice-creams, local school acts, Green Valley Youth Choir, carol-singing with The Eastern Charms and Vince Foti, displays from Rural Fire Service, SES and Police, huge raffle, Master of Cermonies radio & club personality PETE GRAHAM, fabulous fireworks display from Foti International Fireworks (sponsored by Smithfield RSL) and a visit from SANTA! And all this is SIMULCAST LIVE on Radio 2SWR 99.9FM from 7pm-10pm. Last years major beneficiaries were Braeside Hospital, Rural Fire Service and Rotary projects. Other recipients of funds raised were Bossley Park Scouts, Horsley Park Primary School, Marion Primary School, Our Lady of Victories Church, St John Ambulance.

The Wizard Home Loans (Bossley Park) CAROLS IN THE PARK is THE place to be on Saturday December 15th 2007!


2006 Sponsors either cash or donations-in-kind: Wizard Home Loans (Bossley Park), Smithfield RSL, Club Marconi, TravelScene/American Express (Horsley Park), ACM Electrical, Nada Concrete, Shaws Darwin Transport, Montecatini Smallgoods, Glowmeats Pty Ltd, Merrylands Music, Fairfield Advance, GC Quality Catering, Weigh-Tec Scales, Rode Microphones, Telstra, Cavasini Homes, Romson Nursery, Premier Hire, Capitol Hill Motors, Foti’s International Fireworks, Sanctuary Signs,