The Upper Hunter Mining Dialogue is helping spread Christmas cheer in local schools.

Offered in conjunction with the Hunter River Times newspaper, the Dialogue Christmas in the Classroom competition aims to help local schools and their students showcase their festive celebrations while farewelling what has again been a trying year for all.

For the second year, schools involved with the Dialogue’s School Mine Tours Program have been offered $150 ‘buy local’ gift cards which can be used to help decorate their classrooms for Christmas.

The competition will also benefit local businesses as the gift cards must be spent with participating businesses within the school’s local government area.

The Dialogue will also reward the top three school Christmas decoration projects with first prize receiving $750, second $500 and third $250 to be used on a school project of their choice.

Last year’s top prize was taken out by the students of Scone Public School – pictured with their winning Christmas decorations.

Meanwhile, following the disruptions from Covid-19 this year, the Dialogue is gearing up for a busy 2022 and plans a full return to its activities including community engagement at local shows, procurement networking events, the return of the School Mine Tours Program and hosting of its Community Forum early in the new year.

The Dialogue wishes all its supporters a safe and merry Christmas and happy New Year.