FABULOUS FUN AT MOYNEYANA!

On Friday 29th December a gentle breeze and clear blue skies prevailed across the village setting the scene for the Moyneyana Musicfest on the Village Green.  With a star studded cast hosted by Arty Hoey & Streamline Band, the fluctuating crowd of 200 - 300 people were entertained by Shane Howard, Oriel Glennan, Andy Alberts , Robby Bundle, Marcia & Damian Howard, The Roomers, Jordie Lockett & Friends, Maree C, Doug Nolte and Trevor Keilor .  There was a variety of music to suit all tastes.

23rd Annual Art Show for the Lions Club Port-Fairy Belfast.

The show opened with 100 visitors viewing 190 paintings. This year Kathryn Weatherly, a well known artist in Port Fairy was the judge.   Kathryn introduced each of the seven prize sections. The winner of the Best Painting was a local artist Vic Irving, whose work can be seen on display in town in the form of murals in Wisharts at the Wharf and Murrihy's Butchers as well as the banners on the Village Green, which depict the festive season in Port Fairy.   

Spectators for the 2006 Moyneyana Ocean Swim	Moyne Ocean Swim 06 Junior Women's 1st & 2nd place Sarah Harkin 1st (right) & Emily-Rose Finnigan 2nd

MOYNEYANA OCEAN SWIM 06

31st December: The weather was perfect for the annual Bay Swim in Port Fairy on New Year's Eve morning and was a much anticipated date on the Moyneyana Festival programme.

Locals and visitors alike lined East Beach to encourage the 186 participants in the annual 1.2km swim.

It was the perfect event for PFSLC members to showcase their skills in this the Year of Surf Lifesaving, and nothing was left to chance by organisers who deserve our congratulations, as do all participants.

With so many categories to choose from, the opportunity for participation is open to all over 14 and is for some, an annual family affair. The winning smiles and obvious sense of achievement and camaraderie was a joy to behold regardless of placing's.

Congratulations to all 1st, 2nd and 3rd place getters who received very attractive medallions, with special mention to Overall Female/Senior Sandra Kilbeck who finished in 20:16 minutes and Overall Male/Open Peter Kerr who was first across the finish line in just 15:28 minutes. 

There were many impressive young people participating including Male/Junior winner Jadyn Wilkinson finishing first in 17:15 minutes in his first Port Fairy event and Female/Junior winner Sarah Harkin crossing the line in 20:30 minutes.

The winner Sarah Harkin, and 2nd place getter in the Female/Junior category Emily-Rose Finnigan, who crossed the line in 20:31minutes just 1 second behind Sarah, also had the added distinction of being 2nd and 3rd Female/Overall place getters.

With only one second separating them, these girls showed no rivalry on land and Moyneyana looks forward to seeing these friendly competitors participating again next year.

Retro Race

7.30pm on New Year's Eve saw the finals of the third Retro race in Port Fairy with 16 year old visitor Alex Geilings breaking the previous record with a time of 15.59 making him the new Australian Men's Champion. He received his medallion and award from former VFL star Paul Salmon. 2nd place getter was Ben Schreiber, followed by Stewart Wood .

Local lass from Warrnambool 17 year old Flynn Gleeson was the winner of the ladies race with Jessica Van Puyenbrek and Sian Salmon 2nd and 3rd respectively place getters. It was great to see the Salmon family supporting the spirit of Moyneyana.

There was a romantic touch to this event when it was discovered that 2nd place getters Ben and Jessica from the men's and women's finals are sweethearts. Ben's family are regular holiday makers in Port Fairy and it's lovely to see them getting into the spirit of the festival.

New Year's Eve Procession Moyneyana Explodes!!

The next event attracting a large crowd on New Year's Eve was the annual procession of floats. A balmy night allowed many onlookers and families to view the large variety of impressive floats, vehicles and walking entries. The Warrnambool Pipe Band led the parade followed by emergency services. After much deliberation judges awarded the Moyne Health Services and the Toolong Fire Brigade equal first prize and the remainder of the $3000 prize money was divided between 16 major entries with six entries receiving special mentions. Thank you to everyone who entered, it is a lot of fun and we encourage you all to consider participating next year's 60th anniversary festival.

Moyne Health Services equal first winner in the New Year's Eve annual procession

 

The Entertainment

Bushwahzee and the Melbourne based Scottish band Claymore entertained us throughout the town until the countdown at midnight. The sky erupted with the magnificent annual fire works display which held us all enthralled.

New Year's Day on the Moyne River

Craft Market

The large crowd at the wharf kept the stall holders' busy from 9 am. The atmosphere was great with bargains to be had and plenty to see and do. There were demonstrations of basket weaving, a fund raising spinning wheel as well as a sausage sizzle and much more.

CLASSIC & WOODEN BOATS SAIL UP THE MOYNE

At 2pm the cannon was fired on Battery Hill signaling the start of the Classic & Wooden Boat sail past on the Moyne River. The waiting crowd was treated to a great display of Couta Boats, Fishing Boats, Wooden craft and even a small kayak built using the plan of an Eskimo kayak. Eda Ritchie entertained the crowd with her vast knowledge and in-depth commentary of the spectacle.

The Port Fairy Lifeboat led the parade with a lone piper standing in the bow playing his soulful tunes.  The boat, with its bright blue hull, is one of the icons of Port Fairy and was applauded loudly by the watching crowd gathered on the wharf. 

MOYNE RIVER DUCK DERBY

The crowd grew as time for the Port Fairy Surf Life Saving Club Duck Derby drew closer with 32 colourful corporate ducks vying for line honours. For the second time, Murrihy Meats duck took line honours ahead of McLean's Pharmacy and the ANZ Bank. The winner received $1000 cash prize and an impressive trophy.

Moyne Duck Derby: 1000 yellow ducks

At 3.30pm 1000 yellow ducks were released on the Moyne River . The crowd waited anxiously as the throng floated down the straight. Race-caller extraordinaire Gary Lockett was breathless keeping up with the call with eventual winner #22 ‘Spud' representing Wishart's On The Wharf, streaking away from #632 and #636.

This popular event was won by duck #22 and ensured the $700 cash prize for ‘Spud' from Wishart's On The Wharf. Second prize of $200 was won by Ron Moutray of Port Fairy who donated his prize back to the PFSLSC, and third prize of $100 was won by Kerry Arnott of Portland.

It was a great event as always although there is growing speculation regarding the uncanny ability of the winning ducks with whispers of conspiracy regarding the prevalence of the number 2 in the winners circle. There must be something about those 2's with winners in both sections being #22.

What's On Next Week

Thursday 4th January: CBD Alive (Free) Magic Sally Faerie Rock Band - Interactive entertainment on the Village Green.

Friday 5th January: CBD Alive (Free) Harmoniacs Acappella Group – Meet them in Sackville and Bank

Street and enjoy the entertainment.

Saturday 6th January: Summer Fair on the Village Green. Stalls and music in aid of the Port Fairy Hospital .

Port Fairy Drive-In at the showgrounds. Gates open 7pm , film starts at dusk. Fun for all the family; $25

Sunday 7th January: 9am -1pm Southwest Street Rodders. 25th Show ‘N' Shine, Southcombe Park.

Impressive display for amateurs and enthusiasts.

6pm Blessing of the Fleet. An Ecumenical service on the Moyne River Wharf.

Tuesday 9th January: CBD Alive Moyneyana Bushwahzee Surf Show and Beach Party Day. A full day's Entertainment for children. Registration forms available at the visitor information

Centre. $5 entry at the Sea Scouts Hall

For more information on these or other activities including surfing lessons, art exhibitions, kite flying etc, check a programme (available from various outlets around town or the Visitors Information Centre in Bank Street).

Festival chairman Reg Harry can be contacted on 0438 681 237.