The Bundaberg Civic Centre will soon transform into a recycled Christmas wonderland when the All Abilities Christmas Tree Project goes on display.
The project, which has been supported by Bundaberg Regional Council, brings together disability services and their participants to create a Christmas tree with recycled products and materials.
It aims to foster social engagement and build skills while spreading a recycling message during the festive season.
From next week, organisations who have participated in the All Abilities Alliance initiative will showcase their recycled Christmas tree craft to the public.
Participants from the Endeavour Foundation have been busy sanding, hammering, gluing and glittering their display.
Team leader Petrina Pashley said plenty of work and creativity had gone into the project.
“Our participants have sourced pallets and hessian bags from NDVR Business Solutions and have stripped down the pallets into smaller, workable pieces, removed nails, sanded and drilled holes, all to make our 170 cm tall tree,” she said.
“We have also had our woodworkers make up a fireplace mantle, which the craft group have then gone wild making assorted decorations for both the tree and mantle.”
Petrina said there were 25 Endeavour Foundation members who were part of the group project and were enjoying every minute of the work.
“They are getting creative and loving it,” she said.
“The woodwork group has mastered sanding and cutting, and craft groups have had fun making all sorts of decorations.
“There has been plenty of skill-building including fine motor skills development with the gluing, painting, and card making as well as group participation with the sharing of tools and working towards [achieving] a common goal.”
The recycled Christmas trees will be on display to the public at the Bundaberg Civic Centre on Thursday 1 December from noon until 6 pm and then again, all day Friday 9 am to 4 pm and Saturday 9 am to noon.
Participants include Endeavour Foundation, Impact Community Services, NDSP, Rhino Support Coordination and Carinbundi.
Community Services portfolio spokesperson Cr Tracey McPhee said the craft project was about engaging disability service providers and bringing people together.
“The All Abilities Christmas Tree initiative is a way for people to come together to celebrate the festive season while building on social skills in a creative space,” she said.
“Our wonderful participants have been hard at work creating these fantastic displays and I encourage the community to pop down to the Civic Centre from Thursday 1 December to celebrate!”
