Home » A forgiving lot at library

A forgiving lot at library

19/12/2016

Edith Schaaf and Jen Schutze from the Hampton Park Community House Family Support Division with library officer Rachelgail Macapagal, Tania Sacco from Hampton Park Community House Family Support Division and Branch Manager of Hampton Park Library Celia Rice with the stack of gifts under the forgiving tree. 163280_01 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 163280

By Victoria Stone-Meadows

HAMPTON Park Library has received a record number of gifts under their Forgiving Tree, where library debts are forgiven in exchange for a gift placed under the tree.
The gifts are collected by and distributed to local charities to give those who may have missed out otherwise a bright and cheery Christmas.
Each Casey Cardinia library branch has a selected local charity the gifts go towards with Hampton Park Library supporting the Hampton Park Community House (Family Support Division).
Libraries in the region will be accepting gifts for their charities until 24 December and all gifts and non-perishable foods will be accepted.
Star Photographer Stewart Chambers visited the Hampton Park library to check out the huge pile of presents donated to the Forgiving Tree.

Digital Editions

New hospitality era for Cranbourne

A change of ownership six months ago has marked a new chapter for Cranbourne landmark The Amazing Grace, with hospitality veteran Adam Sadiqzai returning from…

More News

Ramadan Night Markets coming to Casey

Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 467847 After a successful run in Dandenong, the Ramadan night market is now coming to Casey for two special nights in February 2026. The…
Crime ’really bad’ in Clyde North, says home invasion victim

Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 531198 A Clyde North local whose home was violently invaded and whose personal safety was threatened has warned crime is getting “really bad” in…
Doveton park named after local legend

Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 406623 After a united community push, a huge-hearted local legend has been immortalised at a Doveton park. The previously untitled reserve at Autumn Place…
Melbourne’s youth gangs face 24/7 disruption and quick arrests

Victoria Police laid 4,300 charges against Melbourne youth gang members last year, including many from the Casey and Greater Dandenong. The thousands of charges included almost 400 for the possession…
Casey Council backs national packaging reform call

City of Casey has backed calls for urgent national packaging reform, warning that plastic packaging made up a significant share of what local residents were putting in their bins. The…

On hot days it’s important to replenish the fluids

**Winning a grand final might be the best cure for hangover as some of the MERINDA PARK boys can attest to. A large number of the Cobras’ XI for Sunday’s…
Backhands, burns and banks

DAVE: Morning boys, an absolute scorcher on the weekend and one member of our team is sporting the war-wounds of sunburn to prove it. We praised Blair last week for…
Kids charged over alleged thieving spree

Three boys from Greater Dandenong are facing charges over an alleged stealing spree across the South East. The trio were arrested by police on Princes Highway, Noble Park on Wednesday…
Cranbourne North’s new Kala Primary School opens

A new primary school has opened in Cranbourne North as part of a statewide school expansion, alongside increased financial support for families through the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund. Kala…
Stolen car suspect arrested

On the 23rd of January, the below red Toyota 86 was stolen from Cranbourne East. On the 27th of January, a Cardinia local observed the vehicle in a shopping centre…