Spreading joy for nearly for 30 years

The Rotary Club of Belrose, NSW, Trees of Joy project has been running for almost 30 years. For most of this time it has been driven by the Stewart family. When long-term Rotarian Ian Stewart passed away, his wife Carole took over the project and, with total family involvement, has been the mainstay ever since. Carole is now an Honorary Rotarian.

The Trees of Joy have become an icon in both the local and broader community.

Over recent years the club has collected and distributed approximately 4,000 presents a year.

Recipients have included Central West Indigenous communities (through the involvement of the Rotary Club of Coonabarabran, NSW), women’s refuges, Exodus Foundation, Uniting Church Burnside, Baptist Church, Royal Far West, Stewart House, Bear Cottage and Anglicare.

In 2019, the Rotary Club of Belrose added gift certificates for regional disaster relief to the Trees of Joy program. These are generally directed towards the Central West of NSW, notably Coonabarabran, Peak Hill and Condobolin districts. In addition to these gifts, local Rotary clubs actively fundraise to increase the cash available for distribution.

When farmers cannot afford to spend, the entire community suffers.

Rotary clubs on the ground are working with local organisations like the CWA and churches. They identify those in need and distribute gift vouchers (the value of which is often enhanced by the issuing company) to the genuinely affected and disadvantaged families for use with at local businesses.

The multiplier effect of increased local spending benefits the entire community.

The Belrose Trees of Joy – some 16 this year – are located in local shopping centres, schools, shops, banks and insurance offices in the city.

Club members aim to collect gifts daily from major centres, and sort and distribute them the next day. The final collection day for 2024 is Wednesday, December 18.