Above left: Gladysdale
By Monique Ebrington
GLADYSDALE Primary School’s peaceful bush setting was a little livelier on Sunday 3 May for the Gladysdale Apple and Wine Festival.
The 25-year-old tradition and school fundraiser proved itself to still be a popular calendar event with hundreds of people visiting the festival throughout the day.
Gladysdale Primary School principal Peta Evans hoped that the festival brought the community together and raised enough money for new computers and interactive whiteboards for the classrooms.
While the final amount of funds raised for the school hasn’t been tallied as yet, Ms Evans is confident that the day helped raised enough money for the new technology.
“I think it was an excellent day and everyone seemed to be really enjoying themselves. There were a great variety of things for people to see and do,” Ms Evans said.
The country-style family day gave visitors the opportunity to taste the local produce and help celebrate the end of harvest.
Gourmet platters, cheeses, Devonshire teas, pumpkin soup, wine and apple cider, fritters, pies and strudels were just some of the fresh produce enjoyed on the day.
There was also plenty of live entertainment on the day with chainsaw carving demonstrations.
Wood chopper Allan Spencer has been demonstrating his skills at the festival for the past three years and said he enjoyed providing something for the blokes to look at.
“It gives something for the men to look at. There are plenty of cakes and crafts but I start up the racing chainsaw and give them something to look at,” Mr Spencer said.
There were also competitions such as the best scarecrow, best apple pie, the heaviest giant pumpkin and the Battle of the Musicians.
Musicians from local primary and high schools performed their favourite tunes as visitors and parents sat on bails of hay and watched on.
Hoddles Creek Primary School Grade 6 student Beth Martin took out first place with her rendition of Your Day Will Come by Casey Chambers and said she was happy about winning the competition for the second year in a row.
Gladysdale Primary School Grade 5 student Katrina Marchese took out second, and Upper Yarra Secondary School Year 7 student Christel Anliker won third place.
