BELFAST LIONS 24th ART SHOW CONTINUES HIGH STANDARD

Those attending the opening of the Lions Art show were delighted with the more than 200 paintings on display this year. The show continues to impress locals and visitors to Port Fairy with the standard always of a high level. The winner of the Best Painting award was ‘Dogs on the Beach' by well known artist Nicola Clarke. The judges Special Award ‘For Proud Parents' was a solar plate etching by Andy Savanstone.

The judges highly commended several artists in their encouragement award section, namely Pamela Knight, Marjka Inei and Robyn Lake for their paintings, ‘The Rock', ‘Pea' and ‘Birds in the Bush'.

The show continues with the art on display until the 5th January.

MUSICFEST 28TH DECEMBER

The Moyneyana Musicfest hosted by Streamline and showcasing numerous local artists got off to a great start on Friday 28th December. Initially only a small group of people braved the heat on the Village Green, while others sat outside the cafes under the shade of the wide verandahs of Port Fairy streets where ice creams and iced coffees were the refreshments of the day.

Evening arrived with a gentle breeze bringing relief and a vastly increased audience. The musical smorgasbord was such that it attracted families, teenagers and grandparents who all enjoyed the Country and Western, Celtic Songsters, Blues and Rock ‘n' Roll music on offer. Many of the talented artists sang and played their own compositions, a real treat. Damian and Marcia Howard with Sandy Brady on bass and John Emery on drums held the crowd enthralled with songs such as Burning in the Rain and The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth.

Artie Hoey and his group Streamline played to an appreciative audience with songs including Rainbow Man and for the older generation the well-known song Little Sister, which had the feet tapping.

Port Fairy local singer Oriel Glennen joined Shane Howard and Andy Alberts as the evening advanced towards closing with others joining Streamline in some of the old favourites. Overall it was an enjoyable evening's entertainment for all ages with the young having a great time dancing.

The Musicfest is the first of several music treats for visitors and locals with Trax playing in the Anglican Church on January 4 th, Jazz in the Park taking place on January 13th in the Port Fairy Gardens Caravan Park, and Summer Music – the Swing of Things, on the Village Green on January 16th.

Retro Race and New Year's Eve Procession BUILDS EXCITEMENT!!

WOW, the Retro Race once again proved to be an amazing spectacle. The skill, courage and speed of the competitors ensures the must see Retro Race finals are always exciting for spectators and sets the mood for the New Year's Eve festivities ahead.

A well deserved win was achieved by Port Fairy regular visitor and Australian record holder for the Retro Race, 17 year old Alex Geilings, who won the men's championship again this year in the good time of 15.89 seconds only 300th of a second outside his Australian record time of 15.59 seconds achieved in 2006. Well done Alex!

Congratulations also to the second and third place getters Morgan McLure and Ben Schreiber .

Congratulations to the winner of the Women's final, Jess Walsh. Her winning time was 20.47 seconds. Jess 18, an expat now residing in London, is the niece of Lucy and Brian Taylor whose son Shaun will be returning to London with her. Whilst we'd like to think she returned specifically to participate in the Port Fairy Retro Race, we concede family and Christmas may have been her prime motivation.

Jess trained and competed in the London Marathon in April. The London Marathon is a road marathon that has been held each year since 1981 and is one of the top five international marathons run over the traditional distance of 42.195km which ensured Jess was well prepared for the Retro Race finals in Port Fairy. Go girl!

Lisa Williamson and Brooke Green came in second and third respectively, well done girls.

Congratulations to all competitors, there are no losers in this sport, you're all truly unique athletes.

The next event was the annual procession of floats. After a day of scorching heat a pleasant change enabled the many onlookers to view the large variety of impressive floats, vehicles and walking entries including Sarah Blizzard on stilts who did well to go the distance. The Warrnambool Pipe Band led the parade with their professional beat. The variety of floats entertained the ever increasing crowd and after much deliberation judges awarded the Moyne Health Services the Graham Woodrup Champion Moyneyana prize with the Inglis Barby Award going to the youngsters representing the Solid Rock Café . The remainder of the $3000 prize money was divided between 18 major entries with five 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.

Reg Harry, the Chairman of the Moyneyana Festival Committee reported that the 60th Moyneyana Festival New Year's Eve celebration was a success, "the Committee was extremely pleased with how the New Year's Eve activities unfolded, the local community participation was outstanding and the parade met the high standard of previous years with a larger number of groups and organisations participating". "The balmy evening ensured the stall holders were kept extremely busy late into the night whilst a huge crowd of Port Fairy locals and visitors were entertained by Bushwahzee, The Ploughboys and Claymore on the Village Green until 1am ". The fireworks display at midnight captured the attention of all in Port Fairy bringing in 2008 in spectacular style.

New Years Day on the Moyne River

CRAFT MARKET

The large crowd at the wharf kept the stall holders holder's busy from 9 am with locals and visitors enjoying the refreshing cool change. The atmosphere was great with bargains to be had and plenty to see and do. There were demonstrations and displays, a fund raising spinning wheel and a sausage sizzle for all to enjoy.

CLASSIC & WOODEN BOATS SAIL UP THE MOYNE

At 2pm the cannon was fired on Battery Hill signalling the start of the Classic & Wooden Boat sail past on the Moyne River . 

The Port Fairy Lifeboat looked resplendent with it's 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 colourful corporate ducks vying for line honours. The Hub crossed the line first for a convincing win and cleared the stewards inspection before being presented with the coveted $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 legend Gary Lockett was breathless keeping up with the call with eventual winner #848 Rodney Patrick and his syndicate was overjoyed to win. #180 Kiera Farley and #812 Anna Brady were 2nd and third respectively. First prize was $750, Second prize $200 and third prize is $100.

What's On Next Week

Today 3rd January

10.30am & 1pm CBD ALIVE Canya Dantz (Free)

3-5pm Lions Club - Artists painting on the Green

Friday 4th January

3-5pm Lions Club - Artists painting on the Green

5pm AUCTION of Artists painting on the Green

7.30pm St John 's Anglican Church - Music of the big bands by Trax jazz band

Saturday 5th January

9 am Moyneyana House Summer Fair variety of stalls, music on the Village Green

10am - 4pm Port Fairy Lighthouse Open A $3 C .50c

10.30-12.30 Junior Fishing Clinic at Martins Point

Sunday 6th January

9am - 1pm 25 th Sth West Street Rodders Show ‘n' Shine @ Southcombe Park

6pm Blessing of the Fleet- Moyne River Wharf

Tuesday 8th January

10am - 4pm CBD ALIVE Moyneyana Bushwahzee Kids Fun Day, Bush Cabaret 60”s Happening

Wednesday 9th January

7.30pm Rotary Club - Fashion Parade @ Port Fairy Lifesaving Club. $20

Lots more in the FREE program distributed throughout the town or Tel 55682682

For more information on these or other activities including surfing lessons, art exhibitions, kite flying, 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