General News
4 April, 2024
Carnival with smiles from above
By CHRIS EARL DARK clouds swirled around Rheola on Easter Monday - threatening to menace the crowd of more than 3000 who had flocked to the 151st charity carnival. They dropped only a few sprinkly showers as it was buffered from the area away, as if...
By CHRIS EARL
DARK clouds swirled around Rheola on Easter Monday - threatening to menace the crowd of more than 3000 who had flocked to the 151st charity carnival.
They dropped only a few sprinkly showers as it was buffered from the area away, as if the spirit of pioneers in the 1890s had decreed nothing would ruin the big day.
Matt Catto, the fourth generation of his family to volunteer at the event that raises money for health services in Inglewood and Dunolly, evoked the spirit of those pioneers during the official opening. “The pioneers are looking down on us and see that it is a good day,” he said.
“And we have a great future ... just look at the crowd today.”
Mr Catto, now president of the carnival committee, was joined by Loddon Mayor Gavan Holt who was given the honour of opening the 2024 carnival.
Cr Holt said the carnival had again attracted “an amazing mix of people ... young and old”.
Many had a connection with the district’s founding families, the 21st century generations switching from volunteer roles at the fundraising stalls to participating in competitions serious and novelty.
Among the serious was the tractor pull - all 36 beasts of agricultural strength taking to the red dust competition track, the course lined with people all day.
Back closer to the luncheon hall and entertainment stage, a busload of residents cared for by Maryborough District Health Service sat under a gazebo and nearby, Inglewood and Districts Health was enticing young carnival patrons to take a ride on the smoothie bike.
The two health services are big beneficiaries of funds raised at the carnival each year.
For those fancying a flutter on races of the horse variety, there was the on-site bookmaker, moved to a new position for the first time in 35 years, according to carnival committee member Glenn Catto.
“Right opposite the public bar ... best the bookie has done in years,” he said.
Memories of the day were shared far and wide. ABC radio turned up to do a live broadcast - its first ever from Rheola - with former Loddon resident Angus Verley among the show’s presenters.
And a portable phone tower meant photos and videos were out there without contending with connectivity blackspots, again the clouds above separated to make sure Rheola 2024 was enjoyed in person and in abstentia.
Some came from afar, others from near to Rheola. Even the mayor of neighbouring Central Goldfields Shire, Leisbeth Long, navigated her way through three of four council boundary changes to arrive in Rheola - alernating between her patch and the Loddon Shire.
Times may have changed since Gavan Holt as a teenage winner of the Rheola Gift danced with the belle of the ball but through stormy weather on Monday, the crowd had another big ball.