Mount Helena Whim Festival 2011

An estimated 3,000 people were involved in the Festival this year, many active participants. Results of the formal survey were overwhelmingly positive. 

Our aim to generate a sense of community by involving as many Mount Helena individuals, groups, institutions and businesses as possible was fulfilled. One measure of success is that every business in the commercial centre of the village contributed in some way from generous donations of goods and expertise to hours of labour. The scale and quality of the event compared to the small amount of money that it cost is another proof of this. So many people gave willingly of their time to organise the event and sponsorship was generous.

The festival comprised six sections – entertainment; promotion of local institutions and clubs both sporting and social; activities for all ages and this year a market place where individuals and local businesses could sell their produce, art and handcraft; food stalls as fund raisers (not enough variety and not enough food!) and the Amateur Photographic Exhibition, which in its second year is a recognised competition.

Entertainment was our biggest focus with two stages and a performance space; the emphasis being on youth - the EHSH concert bands, the Mount Helena primary school and Eastgate Youth Band. Skilled professionals such as the Marcus Sturrock, Perth Hills Jazz Orchestra and Just Sax also performed. The hills Drum Circle and Azwhan Tribal Dancers conducted workshops.

A range of activities attracted people of all ages – participation being our objective. Available were: the decorated tea towel competition entered by the very old and the very young, Bendigo’s pavement art, the Scout’s  climbing wall, Jorg’s circus skills workshop, play dough activities,  parent/child portraits, sports competitions and so on.

Organisations from EMRC to the Men’s Shed; from the Hills Sustainability Group to the Hillbillies Football Club considered this an appropriate forum to promote themselves; another measure of the event’s relevance. The sled dogs and alpacas were crowd favourites.

The commercial stalls had to comply with our clean, green and local criteria and we were pleased with the range and quality of goods on sale. Furniture, recycled and adjusted clothing, hand made cosmetics, books sold by the author were just some things available.

Pioneer Park itself is an element in our overarching aim of maintaining a sustainable local environment in every sense, and the assistance and co-operation of the Shire makes this an excellent venue.

View photos of the day here...