Moyneyana Magic

Festival Chairman Reg Harry said today “That the committee who prepared this year's 3YB/FM Moyneyana programme were extremely pleased with the way it was being received by visitors and local residents. Members of the committee are thrilled by the way activities and events have been supported and it is a credit to all the volunteer group members that have been involved.”

CANYA DANTZ BRINGS CBD ALIVE IN PORT FAIRY

Barry Peters, Didi, Zoe and Peta brought the Village Green alive with a high energy dance and fun show for all age groups.  With songs like 'We're going to buy some ducks', 'Rock Pool/Lucky Dip', 'Willy Willy Dance' and 'Puffing Billy Steam Train', he kept the children laughing, interacting and learning.

'Rock Pool/Lucky Dip' brought in some elements of conservation involving life on the beach with the children enthusiastically guessing what animals and fish belonged and discarding those that definitely didn't.

Many of the little ones present had their favorite songs with ‘The Whalewash Song' proving to be popular with both the children and parents who happily joined in the dance and the Celebration of Life CANYA DANTZ brought to the Village Green.

ARTISTS ON THE GREEN.

The Port Fairy Belfast Lions Club's Artist on the Green was another successful Moyneyana event. Chairman of the Lions Club Art Show Committee Geoff Scott said, "It is the first year we have held this event and has proved to be very successful". "Both the Artists and the public enjoyed the experience and it was wonderful to see the painting emerge over the three days".  The Artists, Tony Eccles, Murray Jennings, Robyn Lake, Jan Hetherington and Sandra Lewis donated their paintings which will be auctioned by the Lions Club at a later date with 100% of the proceeds to be donated to the Warrnambool and Region Breast Cancer Support Group.

Artist, Jan Hetherington said she and the fellow artists enjoyed the exercise. The out of studio activity gave them an opportunity to interact with the public who showed a genuine interest in their work. Jan's brother Andy Berry provided us with painting of artists at work.

JAZZ AT ST JOHN'S ANGLICAN CHURCH

Despite a very warm evening on Friday, more than 200 jazz enthusiasts filled St John's Church to hear Big Band TRAX perform. TRAX dazzled the crowd with a range of numbers including  'Satin Doll', 'Stray Cat Strut' and 'String of Pearls. Vocalist Colleen McCosh from Koroit performed a sensational rendition of Peggy Lee's 'Fever'. 

Port Fairy was very fortunate and privileged to attract this talented group of musicians who volunteered their time to share their love of jazz with the very appreciative audience.   Comments such as “wonderful”, “amazing”, and “what a great performance”, were heard as the audience left the magnificent and acoustically excellent historic church, with band members reporting they were very impressed with the venue. 

St. John's spoke person, Mr. Jim Fitzwilliam was thrilled by the large number of attendees and suggested that TRAX be invited back next year to perform during the 61st Moyneyana Festival. 

SUMMER FAIR RAISES CASH FOR MOYNEYANA HOUSE

Warm weather did not deter patrons from attending this years Summer Fair on the Village Green which proved to be a great fund raising success. The Moyne Health Services will certainly benefit from the day which resulted in $6500 being raised. The Friends of Moyneyana House group raised $5416.30 for Moyneyana House with The Yambuk Auxiliary and the Port Fairy Auxiliary contributing around $1083.70, a grand effort by all involved.

All stalls were busier than last year with the craft and jam stalls most popular and doing a roaring trade.  Patrons were treated to music from the Port Fairy Citizens Band, followed by some easy listening music and songs from Roy Carson. Many thanks to all those who assisted in making the day a success.

SOUTHWEST STREET RODDERS THRILL CROWD

Hot rod enthusiasts helped to ensure there were no accommodation vacancies in Port Fairy on the 5th and 6th January. On Saturday night Southcombe Park, was the place to be for the rodder's dinner and rock & roll bash.

On Sunday proud owners flocked to the Show & Shine display in their rebuilt and restored vehicles and whilst there were 111 official entries, it was estimated there were around 350 cars on Southcombe Park oval. Member of the South West Street Rodders Sammy Cooper declared the event a total success with the ideal weather conditions attracting a crowd of over 5000 people. This is a testament to the popularity of this time consuming labour of love. Enthusiasts are advised that next years rod run will be a week later on the 9th, 10th & 11th January.

The results of the categories are as follows; Top Car Brad & Vicki Goodhand, Sydney, 1935 Ford Coupe, Top Open David Sutherland, Melbourne, 1932 Ford Roadster, Top Closed Rob & Julie Harding 1934 Red Ford Tudor, Top Commercial NoRod & Jackie Dowley, Brisbane, 1934 Ford Coupe Ute, Post 48 Bill Duyvestyn, Melbourne, 1956 Chev, Club Choice Greg Morrissey, Geelong, Ford Tourer, and the Police Choice Peter Ransom, Mt Gambier, 1956 Ford F100 Pickup.

BLESSING OF THE FLEET

Pleasant weather saw crowds up on last year with those attending listening intensely as Bishop Michael Hough of Ballarat conducted his meaningful service at the wharf. It was also pleasing to see an increase in the number of fishing and pleasure craft attending. Daniel Mooney successfully retrieved the ceremonial cross from the Moyne River as part of the blessing of the fleet.

COMING EVENTS:

HISTORICAL SOCIETY OPEN HOUSE DAY.

The annual Open House Day, conducted by the Port Fairy Historical Society, will be held on Sunday 13 January 2008 . This year there are five houses to see as well as St. John's Church, and the History Centre in the old Courthouse.

Among the houses is one in Wishart Street, which was built around 1901, and has been renovated and extended in the past three years. Around the corner in Cox Street is a typical post World War 1 home, which has had a sympathetic extension completed. "Rockleigh", on the corner of Bank Street and the Highway, has not been opened for many years. The old section of the house includes a number of ornate features.

Tickets to visit the houses will be available from the front of the History Centre in Gipps Street , opposite the wharf, from 1.15 pm on the Sunday. Entry to the buildings will be available from 1.30 - 4.30 pm. Tickets are priced at $10 for adults to visit all buildings, or $5 for an individual house. The full priced ticket includes descriptions of the places on view, as well as a map showing locations.

Devonshire Tea will be available at St. John's Hall, catered for by the Yambuk ladies. All proceeds from afternoon tea will go to the Port Fairy Hospital .

It is also an action packed week for the families

Look for the CBD Alive FREE Children's Activities every day this week on the Village Green, acts such as the Harmoniacs a A cappella Group, Aussi Tall Stars - roving street performers, Billo the Clown, Aussi Al - listen to his guitar, The Roving Magician - he will amaze you, Ventriloquist and the ever popular Wild Action Reptile Show - See crocodiles, snakes and lizards.

Sunday 13th January

7am - 5pm Port Fairy Working Sheep Dog Trials @ Showgrounds in Regent St.

1.30pm - 4.30pm Historic Buildings “Open Day” tickets form the History Centre

2pm - 5pm Jazz in the Park, Rotunda, Port Fairy Gardens (Free)

Wednesday 16th January

5-7pm Summer Music - The Swing of Things, Village Green

For details see the FREE program distributed throughout the town or Tel 55682682

For more information on these or other activities including camel rides, guided tours, art exhibitions, 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