The theme Happy Days certainly set the mood for one of the best Orange Festivals yet.
“The day was magic, the weather gods smiled and there were a lot of happy, smiling people meeting and greeting each other,” Chair of the Gwydir Shire Special Events committee, Councillor Catherine Egan, said.
This year, the festival drew visitors from a wide area.
“Congratulations on the success of this year’s Orange Festival has to go to Georgia Standerwick and her small band of helpers,” Cr. Egan said. “Georgia is so easy to work with, nothing is too much trouble and always served with a big smile.”
Festivities started on Friday, with the annual Orange Picking Ceremony. This year’s bumper crop was bigger than the children could pick by themselves, and Council staff finished the harvest on Monday.
With the end of term on Friday, the children were in the mood to have fun.
Students from Bingara Central School were in the mood to dance, much to the delight of the huge crowd watching the Orange Festival Parade.
“How good were the school children, and their dance routine up the street parade was awesome.
“We are always very proud of the way they represent their school and the community, thank you to the teachers for their hard work and support.
“To the barbecue workers, Robert, Debra, Robyn, Ian and Terry McFarland who saw the oldies struggling and stepped in to help, we couldn’t have done it without you. The money from the barbecue is our seed funding for next year’s festival,” Cr. Egan said.
Among those enjoying the music and activities of the festival were several residents from Touriandi Lodge and long stay patients at the Bingara MPS.
Several members of the Bingara community have contacted the Advocate office, saying how enjoyable the festival was this year.
The Special Events Committee’s attention is now turning to next year’s festival, and ideas are sought from Bingara people.
“If you have any ideas for building or improving our day, you are invited to come along and put forward those ideas, but our greatest need is people willing to help on the day,” Cr. Egan said.
Thank you one and all for turning out making our day such a success.
