They have been doing this for a few years and it really brings home what Christmas is all about – families getting together to celebrate the birth of Jesus and the Christmas Season.

The first year the family asked to decorate the tree made our Christmas very special.

Harry, Tim and Chrissy Pratt’s son saw the tree from the school bus and thought it looked like a Christmas tree and asked if he could decorate it.

It has grown from that first year, and they now have friends who join with them in decorating the tree.  

While decorating they receive many train whistles and vehicle horns as the vehicles drive past.

It has become a real talking point.

Maybe in years to come, there could be a competition between decorated trees, both in and out of Junee.

We would like to thank the Pratt Family for contributing to everyone’s Christmas!

The State Government having made an incredibly stupid decision to knock down two perfectly good sporting stadiums in Sydney and rebuild "better ones" at a cost (estimated) of $2.5 billion is full steam ahead to again dud the taxpayer.

What drives people who are supposedly sensible and responsible to make such decisions is beyond me.

It is OK if they want to spend their own money to suck up to the wallahs who run these places and perhaps get an invitation to their Christmas parties or similar but this is taxpayers' money.

This cash is probably from asset sales and such money is desperately needed for rebuilding and promoting TAFE, improving regional roads, increasing police numbers, hospital upgrades, support for victims of domestic violence and proactive prevention, etc.

Voters who are concerned about extravagances like this proposal might consider contacting the local State member, as I have done in Cootamundra Electorate.

I forgot to ask whether NSW residents will get free admission to these stadiums if they are built.

For many Australians, the festive season is one of joy and connection, where friendships and family are celebrated, food is shared and holiday plans are made. 

Yet for others in our neighbourhoods, that sense of togetherness, warmth and belonging will not be felt, and rather an acute sense of loneliness will take hold.

Christmas Day might be lunch for one, sleeping rough or spent with the paralysing uncertainty of not knowing where family is, after being separated because of war or conflict.

There is hope. At Red Cross loneliness is not something to be ashamed of. We’re there for people who have nobody else: calling and visiting, driving them to appointments, offering one-to-one support to those struggling with mental illness, or giving a warm welcome to those seeking safety from violence or persecution.

We know loneliness doesn’t discriminate. It stealthily creeps into our lives, no matter our age, gender or ethnicity, and takes hold when tragedy happens, like losing a loved one, a divorce or losing your job.

Red Cross is calling on you to make this the ‘Season of Belonging’, by taking simple steps. Be kind on social media, say hello to your neighbours, volunteer or check on someone you know is in trouble.