And Christmas is one of those times through its intensity that can bring out the best and the worst.

Stress, excessive alcohol and long-simmering tensions can bring out the worst in families at the time when they should be reflecting on their inherent value.

This is not undue focus, this is the reality year after year for hundreds of Ballarat families and the emergency services that have to deal with spikes in family violence at the 'festive' time of year.

They need our support and they need behvaiour change but most of all they need us, as a community, not to turn away as if it was someone else's problem.

But to balance the yin and yang of a picture of Ballarat, this time of year also brings out the unstinting and sometimes defiant generosity of people of which a community should be proud.

These are just a few of the these stories and they should be celebrated.

Merry Christmas and have a safe holiday.