SUCCESSFUL MOYNEYANA FESTIVAL DRAWS TO A CLOSE

with Australia Day Celebrations & 60th Birthday Bash

Taking a walk on the wildside

Last Tuesday the popular show 'Wild Action' drew record numbers to the CBD in Port Fairy. Children were in awe of the many animals displayed on the Village Green and fascinated by the facts they learned from the knowledgeable Amelia and Xavier who expertly bring nature up close and personal.

With so many animals it was a fun learning experience for the children with no shortage of hopeful volunteers wanting to hold the animals.

A little blonde brushtailed possum was there as was Tango the Rainbow Lorikeet, Crackers the Kookaburra and Bumpy Stumpy the lizard, but it was Casper the Python who drew oohs and aahs when drawn from the sack, and Caspar was small compared to Ollie the Olive Python, with volunteer Amelia having to enlist help from her Dad James to hold this heavy creature.

The final reptile to be shown was Jacqueline the Saltwater Crocodile with a brave Jackie, the Moyneyana Festival's hard working secretary, volunteering to hold her very heavy, awkward and not very cuddly namesake.

'The Swing of Things' Summer Music on the Village Green

Gavin Franklin brought together a great group of musicians to entertain both visitors and locals on the Port Fairy's Village Green. Heather Goddard with her warm, smooth voice and Bob Gray and Brian Amarant on guitar and drums.

Although a coolish summer evening the quartet drew a keen crowd complete with eskies, folding chairs and picnic rugs with the hot coffee available from the coffee van proving very popular.

'Chattanooga Choo Choo', 'It's Too Late Baby' and 'Would It Be Make Believe' began the performance and had people tapping their feet but when 'Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got Swing' was played the dancers in the audience leapt to their feet.

Making the most of the toe tapping music being played by The Swing of Things were 16 members of the Flaming 50's Rock & Roll Club from Hoppers Crossing who were holidaying in the Southcombe Caravan Park . Instructor Miriam Beasley was stepping it out with her son Shannon whilst another dancing couple Charlie and Maddie, were happily celebrating their 26th Wedding Anniversary in Port Fairy.

Gavin Franklin was in his favourite position at the key board and it was obvious that all the musicians, Heather, Bob and Brian enjoyed the evening as much as their enthusiastic audience.

Emergency Services in a Different Light: Fun & Education

The second emergency services display took place on the Village Green on Thursday 17th January. A steady crowd of people from the very young through to seniors viewed the extensive display set up by the local Police, SES, CFA, Rural Ambulance and Surf Lifesaving Club.

The Operation Count Down Bus was of particular interest to everyone, with the touch screen Safety Awareness Quizzes also popular, but it was obvious the Police Drag Car on display won the teen vote. Unfortunately unwelcome authenticity was added to the event when one of the ambulances responded to an emergency call-out and left with siren blaring.

The number of emergency services displayed certainly increased awareness of what's involved in the protection of our community and our mostly unsung experts, many of them volunteers, and highlighted just how fortunate the community of Port Fairy is to have such dedicated groups protecting us so well.

Thanks go to Senior Sergeant Mick Wolfe and all the emergency service personnel that participated to make this such an educational and entertaining event.

Vintage enthusiast travel to Orford.

Saturday and Sunday saw many visitors and locals take off along the Hamilton / Port Fairy Road to the Orford Vintage Engine Display. Displays of working stationary engines, vintage tractor pull, shearing demonstrations, drag and chain saws, chaff cutting, lighting equipment, vintage cars and motor bikes, crafts stalls, barbeques and drinks were all on display. Despite the overcast weather, the display attracted over 500 people each day and everyone enjoyed themselves, fascinated by the variety of working engines and activities.

The following awards were presented: Colin Young Memorial Trophy - Keith Cockayne, Shearing Challenge - Simon Watson. The best restored car - Don Bartlett, bike - Glen Pitman, truck - Tony Serra, engine - Ron Clarke, best display - Ian Wilson, best night display - Graham Hadden, youngest exhibitor - Tayla Warner, longest travelled - Ashley Hiscock from Traralgon, most original display - David Nicolson and the most unusual display - Alan Rantall

Tractor pull winners:

12-17 horse power – 1 st Bruce Nicolson, 2 nd - Graham Densly
18-24 hp - 1 st Michell Gardner, 2 nd - Peter Burow
25-28hp - 1 st John Brimley, 2 nd - Bruce Lowenthal
29-33hp - 1 st Andrew Gardner, 2 nd - Owen Smith
34-39hp – 1 st Gary Clover, 2 nd - David Meyer
40-42 hp – 1 st - David Meyer, 2nd - Paul Treble
70hp - 1st - Andrew Gardner, 2nd - Stuart Robb

Special feature - Fordson Tractors, 1st - e27n cable - Brian Cockayne, 2nd - e27n John Brimley

Special thanks goes to all the sponsors and the exhibitors, many travelling a long distance and to all the volunteers who contributed in making the weekend a success.

Australia Day Celebrations & Moyneyana Festival's 60th Birthday Bash

Come to the Village Green and celebrate with your community neighbours on Saturday 26th January.

9am : The AUSTRALIA DAY celebrations will begin with a FREE Breakfast BBQ provided by the Port Fairy Belfast Lions Club.

10am : The Australia Day Official Ceremony will commence with tunes by the Port Fairy Citizens Band.

The key note speaker in accordance with this year's theme on Youth is our youth representative Amy Holscher . Presentation of the James F O'Neill Memorial Award for Community Service will be made to this year ' s worthy recipient is Jim Fitzwilliam .

Moyneyana Festival's 60th Birthday Bash & the Lions Club Fun Day

FREE fun all day and into the night

On completion of the official Australia Day Ceremony the Moyneyana Festival's 60th Birthday Bash and the Lions Club Fun Day celebrations begin with a FREE hot dog lunch served by the Port Fairy SES, or if preferred pack your own picnic lunch. Your FREE dessert will be a slice of the Moyneyana Festival's 60th birthday cake !

1pm : Get involved with the Scouts in the old fashioned picnic games and races like the egg and spoon race and 3 legged race. The well known entertainers Canya Dantz will also help us celebrate with high energy dance for all ages. And it doesn't finish there!

8pm or darker: FREE Summer Movie on the Village Green (weather permitting). One of Australia's most popular films, the 1982 'The Man from Snowy River' starring Tom Burlinson, Sigrid Thornton, Jack Thompson, Kirk Douglas, marvelous horses, great country and a host of Australian stars (PG 100 Mins) will be shown as a free screening in the open air.

REG HARRY , Moyneyana Festival Chairman, urges all residents, visitors, sporting and community groups, to attend our Australia Day Celebrations conducted by Port Fairy Belfast Lions Club to acknowledge the outstanding contributions made to our community by the deserving award recipients.

He also proudly extends an invitation to the public and supporters of the Moyneyana Festival to join the fun, laughter and especially the warm community spirit as we celebrate 60 years of the Moyneyana Festivals in Port Fairy, an outstanding feat in Victorian festival history.

As this festival draws to an end take advantage of the sporting and other activities still available for you to enjoy including scuba diving, surfing, bowls, golf, cycling, kick boxing, fishing clinics and water sports on the beaches or in the pool, Coastcare activities, mind & body workshops, art exhibitions, silk painting workshops, movies, guided town tour, Motts Cottage, History Centre, or for the adventurous try a camel ride or the Free Kite Flying.

Festival chairman Reg Harry can be contacted on 0438 681 237