General News
16 December, 2025
Hampers of happiness
MORE than 900 hampers are to be delivered to families and people in need across the Cairns region.
Volunteers gathered at the Fred Moule Pavilion this week to pack the hampers for Cairns residents facing a tough holiday season as part of the 2025 Mayor’s Christmas Charity.
More than $94,000 was raised for this year’s appeal, with significant contributions from Kenfrost, Kinkera Community and Coles, along with donations from residents and local businesses.
Mayor Amy Eden said the event reflected the strength and generosity of the Cairns community.
“This event is special because it brings the community together. We’ve got volunteers from Rotary, we have community volunteers, we have Navy and, of course, we have different community groups and they come together and they pack hampers for families and seniors that are really kind of doing it tough,” she said.
Cr Eden highlighted how much the hampers mean to recipients.
“I did receive a letter from a recipient of the hamper last year and she was overwhelmed by the hamper, that it was too much for her, and she divided it and she gave half to her neighbours. It really epitomises the giving spirit and the Christmas generosity that this city has.”
Major Emma Johnson from the Salvation Army said the support helped reach people most in need.
“We’re really lucky. We’re the beneficiaries of some of the hampers from today’s event. The council donates a portion of their hampers to us and we obviously donate it back to the community,” she said.
“It demonstrates to people, not only that people care about their practical needs, but they’re still part of the community. Isolation is a huge problem in many communities and in Cairns, this is one of the ways that we also fight that.”
Troy Jaques from Heightened Security said his firm had been involved from the start.
“We’ve been involved right from the start. It’s just so good to see everyone here today chipping in to get these hampers out,” he said.
The Rotary Club of Cairns Sunrise has assisted with the packing effort for 25 years.
Past president Alfio Pawsey said the tradition was long-standing.
