By Kath Gannaway
THERE was a heightened sense of community at the Yarra Glen Festival on Saturday as people came together to celebrate, give thanks and have fun almost four months on from the February bushfires.
Families, community, sport and welfare groups, emergency services volunteers, Shire of Yarra Ranges’ staff, local councillor Jeanette McRae, Seymour MP Ben Hardman, representatives of the Sugarloaf Pipeline Alliance and members of organising body Heartland Church took part in an action-packed afternoon at the Yarra Valley Racing Centre.
Kids threw themselves into activities, which ranged from felt-making and hoola-hooping to the Yarra Glen Junior Football Club’s popular hand-ball competition, a talent show, performing dogs and CFA and SES demonstrations. And, that’s just a start.
But for many, the festival simply offered a chance to just catch up with friends.
The Kikidopoulos family lost their home in Steels Creek.
“It’s been good for the kids, Tim and Marcus, to have fun with kids outside the school ground who may be in the same situation,” mum Noelly said.
“It’s good for the adults too, to catch up with friends. It’s a welcome distraction.”
Deborah Clarke of Yarra Glen agreed, saying people had been through a lot in the last few months. “It’s great to be able to enjoy the fun atmosphere and things like the school art show is a great idea too. The kids get really excited seeing their work on show.”
Tom Belford won one of three donated trail bikes.
He and son Nicholas were thrilled with their win, but also Tom said with the “beautiful community spirit” and the opportunity to catch up with friends.
The festival incorporates the National Day of Thanksgiving and Pastor Mike Baimbridge of Heartland Church led the community in giving thanks to everyone who played a role in fighting the bushfires and in the relief and recovery effort – which is ongoing.
His long list of ‘thank yous’ reinforced the diverse and vast network that came under the umbrella of “community”.
