General News
30 June, 2024
Inspiration comes from carnival's rich history
JULIE Piening has been lauded for providing for an inspiratiing resource charting the history of the Rheola Charity Carnival. Her book All Roads Lead to Rheola was released on Saturday at the local hall. Carnival president Matt Catto said: “Julie...
JULIE Piening has been lauded for providing for an inspiratiing resource charting the history of the Rheola Charity Carnival.
Her book All Roads Lead to Rheola was released on Saturday at the local hall.
Carnival president Matt Catto said: “Julie has devoted hundreds of hours to researching the history of the Loddon Shire’s iconic and oldest community event.
“The information and detail, old posters, advertisements and photographs are a source of pride for the generations of local people who have been part of the carnival and an absolute inspiration for everyone who today as the carnival continues beyond 150 years,” he said.
Julie is part of the sixth generation Leach family at Rheola and a member of the carnival committee.
She opted for a social afternoon launch of the book celebrating the carnival’s first 150 years over a formal launch.
Julie started researching the book in 2019 “inspired by the work of my grandfather, Donald Clark, who in 2001 had researched and prepared a booklet on 130 years of the Rheola Charity Carnival”.
“My initial idea had been to add to his work and take it up to the 150 years which was to be celebrated in 2020,” she said.
“Then the pandemic hit and caused a delay in holding the 150th carnival. But in turn, this gave me more time for research.”
Julie said the extra time meant she could fill gaps in the recorded history of the carnival that saw visits to the State Library and accessing online information.
“The book is a snapshot of what a small town has achieved over 150 years,” Julie said.
Saturday’s book release again brought people to the Rheola Hall, among today’s members of families part of the carnival that raises funds for Inglewood and Districts Health Service and Maryborough Health’s Dunolly campus.
Matt said: “Julie’s lovingly written book has immediately proven a hit.
“She’s just signed my copy and you can see the enthusiasm of people now waiting their turn for the signature. Well done Julie, the book is wonderful.”