The conception of the charity, Circle of Friends, might be relatively new, but what they stand for predates the township itself.  

Working by the sentiment ‘paying it forward’ knowing that they don’t have to be well-off people to help others, the small group of women devote hours out of their week collecting donations and delivering necessities to victims of domestic violence, their families, and people in need.

Such is their impact on the Yass Valley that literally hundreds have contacted them in the hope of helping them in their plight. 

“I get quite an emotional thinking of how this community, and others outside the community have been willing to help,” Karyn Callaughan, one of the brainchilds behind the group said. “Businesses, schools, clubs, pubs, individuals, most without wanting the recognition, but who believe in what we’re doing.”

In what can only be described as the true spirit of Christmas, the Yass Valley community has gone far and beyond to support the group.

Mt Carmel, Berinba, Goodstart Early Learning, YECCA, Yass Early Learning, Yass Public, Yass Pre-Kindergarten and Montessori schools have been undertaking a toy and present drive in the lead-up to Christmas.

“They have donated boxes of presents that we can distribute to kids at Christmas, all from the families of the children that attend the schools,” Wendy Worthy said. “Tootsie has also had a Vespa that they donated to be raffled off with the proceeds going to the Circle of Friends. It will be raffled off at 3pm at Tootsie, November 17.” 

“The pubs and clubs in Yass have been doing meat and prize raffles, all donated from the town’s generous businesses.

“Yass IGA have made a Christmas tree where they have put donations underneath, people shopping can put purchases in the tub and IGA will match purchase for purchase.”

The group supplies people with essentials for starting afresh, people who are left with nothing. Their motto 'strength in numbers' has been taken to new heights. Working in anonymity, without the bureaucracy of paperwork or the barrage of questions other systems demand.

Today, after nearly two years of work, the Circle of Friends has almost doubled their intake of families. 

“I don’t think the number of incidents is growing, I think more people are becoming aware there is a group like ours out there,” Karyn said. 

“It takes a community to raise a child – this group is our child and this community has raised us up,” Fiona Bush said. “And when my six-year-old son knows what it means to wear the white ribbon, I can’t help but think we’re making a difference.”