Town cool over fest

By Monique Ebrington
HOPE has almost frozen over for the 2009 Warburton Winterfest, that has no organising committee and little money.
The organising committee backed out early due to differences, and there are only nine days (16 April) until the Shire of Yarra Ranges’ yearly community grants application needs to be in.
Despite the setbacks Warburton Highway Tourism president Baden Berry said that they do intend to run Winterfest, one of Warburton’s longest running events.
Mr Berry said that, if it does go ahead, the festival would most likely be held in late August, rather than the scheduled June dates.
He said that it’s not only an event that is sentimental within the community but also positive for the local economy and spirit.
“It has had a fair life span. It’s in its 21st year. There aren’t a lot of local festivals that have that age.
“The town and the region could do with something celebratory, after the summer we’ve just had,” Mr Berry said
Mr Berry said that they are now in the process of picking up the pieces from the original 2009 organising committee.
He said he now has his hopes on Harmony Festival organiser Dhanesh Trimmer and his small yet dynamic group.
He estimated that 2000 people had enjoyed demonstrations and activities throughout the course of the festival, that he hopes will become a regular event in Warburton.
Mr Trimmer has recently celebrated the end of the Warburton Harmony Festival that saw an estimated 2000 people to events.
Mr Trimmer said he had not been officially asked to take over the reins of the Winterfest for 2009, and that he would have to assess whether it could realistically be done.
Mr Trimmer is currently working on another community project and said that it wouldn’t be until May that he could consider taking on the role.
He said that it was possible for the Warburton Winterfest 2009 to be a reality if the community were willing to put in the effort.
“If people are able to come together and put in the effort and the commitment towards the project and if everybody was full speed ahead and wanted to put it on then it’s possible,” he said.