Families and friends gathered for jovial renditions of traditional Christmas carols and a classic Aussie Christmas barbecue.

The kids in the audience also had a surprise visit from the jolly fat man in the big red suit, Santa Claus, who arrived on the local Rural Fire Services vehicle to find out if they’d been naughty or nice.

Santa Claus said the Christmas gift most highly sought-after by the kids of Bannister was a motorcycle. 

He added that most of them had made the nice list. 

The evening also featured local talent on the keyboard, ukulele, recorder, violin and euphonium with Russell Erwin as choir master throughout the caroling.

Dimity Taylor said the whole community “just leaves it all at the door”.

“It’s great that everyone sings,” she said.

The hall, which was repurchased by the community for the community, is a place that can bring everyone together. 

“It’s so great to have a local hall again.

“It makes me feel lucky to live in such a good community,” Ms Taylor added.

Committee members of the Bannister Hall announced that they had been successful in a grant to provide additional facilities that would cater for functions of up to 100 people, with the assistance of the Gullen Range Wind Farm community fund.