Festival taps into talent

By Kath Gannaway
THE Melba Community and Thanksgiving Day held at the Yarra Glen Racecourse on Saturday 13 May provided a showcase for the talent, activities and contribution of the Yarra Glen district communities.
The event was hosted by the Yarra Glen-based Heartland Church as the community part of the Melba Festival.
Many of the district’s families took advantage of the free festival to take part in activities including sumo wrestling, circus skills, face painting and Auskick football skills.
Performances by members of the Yarra Glen Singing Group and the Lilydale Heights College band and the schools’ art show highlighted the extraordinary pool of young talent in the district.
Recognition was given to those in the community who care for others – mothers, teachers, child carers, police, family, church workers, mentors, emergency services volunteers and others. Organiser Mike Baimbridge of Heartland Church said the event had provided a sound base on which to plan next year’s festival, which will take place on 30 May.
“We had hoped for bigger numbers but we have had wonderful feedback from those who attended and we believe there is a lot of potential for an on-going festival,” he said.