EMERGENCY SERVICES IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT: FUN & EDUCATION

The Emergency Service display on the Village Green was well attended by young and old.  "I liked the bright yellow Highway Patrol car the best" one young gentleman was heard to say. 

The SES Surf Rescue Rubber Ducky also attracted a good deal of attention as did the tasty sausages from the SES barbecue.

The Police Road Safety Awareness bus took up several parking places and was not easy to overlook.  There was a steady line of people buying raffle tickets for the Charity Golf Day run by the Port Fairy Police. With fabulous prizes including accommodation, travel and Folk Festival tickets to be won, ensure you buy your ticket soon as it will be drawn on 26th March.

Thanks go to Senior Sergeant Mick Wolfe and all the emergency service personnel that participated to make this an interesting and hopefully annual event.

TARERER FAMILY DAY

Welcome rain did not deter the gathering at the Tarerer Family Day from enjoying cultural dances, songs and activities. A fluctuating crowd of approximately 400 were treated to the varied programme after it was relocated to the Southcombe Park Sporting Complex. 

Tarerer promotes cultural exchange between Aboriginal communities locally, regionally and nationally.  It's an annual event, held in the unique volcanic plains and coastal environs country of the Gunditjmara & Kirrae Wurrong.

Family Group & Elders at Tarerer Family Day

After traditional dancing by the Gunditjamara Karrween and the visiting Tal-Kin-Jeri Dance Group, along with other guests, the Family Day was opened by Elders Uncle Henry Alberts, Aunty Tina Saunders and Aunty Phemie Day. 

There was a huge emphasis on family and sharing of culture with performances from Andy Alberts and the Walkabouts, Rory McLeod, Amy Saunders, Dave Arden, Brett Clarke, Tonchi, Patricia Clarke and Marcia Howard. The performances were highlighted by the spontaneous and unexpected with guests such as Shane Howard.

Tonchi & Rory McLeod perform at Tarerer Family Day

Family Day co-coordinator Kate Gane was extremely appreciative of the support given by the Port Fairy community and the Folk Festival Crew for the relocation and staging of the days activities

PACIFIC HYDRO SUPPORTS THE COMMUNITY

Mr Rob Grant the CEO of Pacific Hydro made presentations to several community groups on Tuesday 23rd January at the Victoria Hotel in Port Fairy. Groups included the Port Fairy Moyneyana Festival, the Tarerer Festival, Port Fairy Winter Weekends Festival, Port Fairy Junior Football Club, Port Fairy Consolidated School and Yambuk Angling Club.

The Port Fairy Moyneyana Festival received a cheque for $2000 from the Pacific Hydro Sustainable Communities Fund.  Reg Harry the Moyneyana Festival Chairman, thanked Pacific Hydro for their generosity and said the money would not only be useful this year but would also assist in the planning of an exciting, vibrant 60th Moyneyana Festival in 2007/2008. 

It would help enable the Moyneyana Festival Committee to maintain the high level of children's free entertainment, which has been a highlight of this year's festival, bringing visitors and locals into the centre of town and adding a festive air to the Village Green.

CBD ALIVE CANYA DANTZ

Tuesday 23rd January: The final event in the CBD Alive programme was Canya Dantz on the Village Green who delivered their high energy dance and fun show to all age groups. The group consists of Barry Peters, Didi, Asher, Zoe and Peta. The children were eager to participate at the front of the crowd and enjoyed songs such as Wobbly Tooth and Here Comes Puffing Billy complete with smoke. Parents joined with the children in the actions for the Whale Wash Song and everyone on the Village Green enjoyed themselves with  many children returning for the afternoon session. Canya Dantz was yet another great success in the CBD Alive section of the festival programme and we look forward to seeing them again at the celebratory 60th anniversary of the Moyneyana Festival.

Canya Dantz and children performing the Whale Song

The Moyneyana Festival Committee thanks the Victorian Government and our many other sponsors (see the sign on the Village Green) for their generous sponsorship which enabled us to put on such a great programme. 

AUSTRALIA DAY CELEBRATIONS

Tomorrow Friday 26th January: At 9am The Moyne Shire Australia Day celebrations will begin with a Free Breakfast BBQ provided by the Port Fairy Belfast Lions Club, followed at 10 am by the Australia Day Official Ceremony on the Village Green with the announcement of the Moyne Shire Citizen of the Year and the Port Fairy Belfast Lions Club James O'Neil Award. The guest speaker will be former Australian/Victorian Cricket personality Paul Sheehan. The Port Fairy Citizens Band and St Patrick's primary school students will be participating in the ceremony.

Moyneyana Festival Chairman Reg Harry urged residents, visitors, sporting and community groups, to attend this significant occasion to acknowledge the outstanding contributions made to our community by the deserving award recipients.

For more information on these or other activities including cryptic towns competition, surfing lessons, art exhibitions, kite flying, camel rides, sporting events 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