By Darren Stones – Freelance Photojournalist / Subscribe via RSS/Atom...
By Darren Stones – Freelance Photojournalist / Subscribe via RSS/Atom Bermagui Seaside Fair 2007 – Blog version with accompanying photographs and music video Note: Photographs relating to this article can be found here. Horseshoe Bay – Bermagui The 10th Bermagui Seaside Fair was held on Saturday 10 March 2007 and what a spectacular event it turned out to be. Thousands of locals from the region were proud as punch to partake and witness a fun-filled day of activities. Festivities commenced on the main wharf at the Bermagui Boat Harbour at 8am with the Blessing of the Fleet ceremony. Bishop Allan Ewing conducted the blessing and also addressed the gathering of locals regarding their continued dedication in making the annual festival a continued success. During the ceremony, the dapper dressed gentlemen from the Bermagui Probus Club Men’s Choir sang hymns, and other local singers and musicians performed. The majority of events were conducted at the Dickinson Oval precinct and a large crowd attended. Bermagui Seaside Fair announcer, June Tarlinton, said “They estimate there will be around 10,000 people and judging from what I’m seeing, I wouldn’t be surprised if they are fairly close to the mark.” “The street parade is extremely popular,” said June when referring to the amount of participants and spectators. “The Bega Vintage Car Club has forty cars involved this year and they’ve never had this many ever. The way the cars have been restored is awesome.” As part of the fair each year the Bermagui Citizen of the Year is announced. This year’s recipient of the award was Candy Craine, who was recognised for her tireless work in caring for sick and injured native animals on her property. June Tarlinton said “Candi Craine was nominated by persons within the community and she was a very worthy recipient of the award.” “She has put a lot of effort into rehabilitating animals since the loss of her husband.” Candi is also an avid photographer and she exhibited many of her quality wildlife photographs at the photographic exhibition at the Bermagui Country Club during the Seaside Fair. Celebrity entertainers, Frankie J Holden and Michelle Pettigrove, were invited to perform and compere the Bermagui Idols competition. The competition catered for local talent and the performers came out in droves to strut their stuff on stage for the gathered throng. Winner of the Bermagui Idol primary school age section was the highly talented nine-year-old Sophie Halliday, who performed a cover version of the song Who Knew by Pink. Judging for the competition was carried out in a novel way, and this was done by gauging the level of audience applause when each contestant’s name was announced. When Sophie’s name was announced, the applause and screaming was deafening. You could have come to the conclusion that her family in attendance numbered 500. She was undoubtedly the star of this year’s Bermagui Idol competition. Young local band, Overdrive, belted out a few tunes for the large and receptive crowd. The street parade, sponsored by Australian regional and rural broadband internet provider, activ8me, was a roaring success as it made its way along the spectator-lined one kilometre stretch of Lamont Street. The Batemans Bay Soldiers Club Pipe Band lead the colourful parade which included floats representing local schools, various community groups, the Bega Vintage Car Club, SES and Rural Fire Service, Bermagui Surf Lifesaving Club members, Bermagui CWA and street performers. Novelty events were conducted for kids, and kids at heart, with the Chuck-A-Tuna competition proving more than a handful for participants. A little bending of the rules by some was detected, however it all added to the fun and frivolity of the afternoon. Local Aboriginal dance group, Gulaga Dancers, were in attendance and performed traditional style dances for the crowd. Carnival rides, a spectacular fireworks display in the evening over Horseshoe Bay, and a sandcastle competition were also part of the day’s festivities. Dozens of stalls were erected on Dickinson Oval with stallholders exhibiting and selling local produce and products, advertising local and regional services and businesses, and supplying food and beverages for the masses. On Endeavour Point Headland, Sculpture on the Edge featured sculptures by Alan Watt, Richard Moffatt, Michael Le Grand and the provocative Melbourne sculptor Greg Taylor. Bermagui, approximate population 1120, is situated in the gorgeous Sapphire Coast region of New South Wales and is renowned as one of the best, if not the best, places for marlin fishing in Australia. It’s also home to a fishing fleet, and is close to Montague Island which hosts numerous animal species. Other local attractions in Bermagui are the scenic Horseshoe Bay, the Bermagui Boat Harbour where you can witness the unloading of the catch of the day, and the Bermagui Blue Pool. The historic Bermagui Beach Hotel exhibits fishing memorabilia in the main bar, lounge and dining areas. It’s also a top spot for a soothing ale or lemonade. Meals are hearty and excellent value for money. High quality accommodation at affordable rates is available at the Bermagui Beach Hotel and the ultra modern Harbourview Motel. Bermagui is a friendly and scenic seaside town located 378 kilometres south of Sydney, Australia. Put it on your list of must see places – it’s a gem. Information Visit Bermagui – Bermagui information web site Bermagui Beach Hotel – Established 1895 Harbourview Motel – Four star accommodation Darren Stones Horseshoe Bay – Bermagui Bermagui Blue Pool
Darren Stones wrote: / _Thanks for posting your photos of the Tathra Wharf …
Darren Stones wrote: / Thanks for posting your photos of the Tathra Wharf and for commenting on my photograph. Ozcloggie, you mention you attended the Bermagui Seaside Fair, and I was fortunate enough to attend this year. Had an absolute ball, and I have an article relating to this year’s fair in my RedBubble journal. I was there, last year, with some friends, including a guest, from the Netherlands. The theme of one of the highlights, the parade, seemed to be ‘seaside’. I had not given my guest time to get over his jet-lag. Arrived in Sydney in the evening. He had a few hours sleep and early, the next morning, I drove him, down the coast to Bermagui. Wasn’t long before he could see something, from the Netherlands! Although barrel-organ music is still something very common in the streets of Holland, my guest was not all that impressed. A bit kitsch, he thought. Camels are a bit less common there. And bikes are very common, in the Netherlands but you don’t see many riders, like this. For that you have to travel around the world and down the coast, to Bermagui. Possibly the body-language (The folded arms, the sceptical look) may tell the story. But, still, later before leaving, the three of us sang – uit volle borst, (at full volume) is the Dutch expression: “Daar bij die molen. Die mooie molen”. (There by the mill. The beautiful mill.) Or was it: Kleine Greetje, uit de polder ? / Well, one of those sentimental golden oldies, anyway. During those first few days of my guest’s visit, he had a tendency to comment that they have these kind of fairs in Dutch cities and villages too. / I have no doubt about it. But they all have their individual atmosphere ( or, in Dutch: sfeer / gezelligheid = ambience)
I’m pleased to announce my 2009 range of Australiana themed calendars are now available to purchase via my online sales agent, RedBubble….
I’m pleased to announce my 2009 range of Australiana themed calendars are now available to purchase via my online sales agent, RedBubble. There’s 12 different calendars in the collection to date which depict various aspects of Australia. You’re most welcome to browse through the collection, and if you’d like to provide feedback, that will be great. Calendars are an ideal gift for giving to family and friends, and yourself. / A snap of the jolly old fellow from last year See below for more product information. Here’s the full list for viewing. Each thumbnail is clickable and it will direct to a full preview of the calendar and unit pricing. / Australia’s Animals / We’re a bit different in Australia / New South Wales / New South Wales – South Coast / Humpback Whales / Great Ocean Road / Australia – The Bush / Aussie blokes and sheilas / Victoria / North-East Victoria / Trees In Australia / Great Alpine Road / Central Tilba
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