The brand new Stage at the Claypits |
Just recently we have got an Invitation to the official opening of the Lake Jindabyne Community Stage. So we, the two reporters of Puls Polonii, Ernestyna and Bogusia decided to go! The moment we have arrived in Jindabyne (Sunday 11th of December 2011) and took our luggage to the lodge it started raining. Heavy rain it was! I called Peter Williams, the chief organiser, and he said the ceremony would go ahead, no matter what. In a few minutes the sunshine was back. So we left for the Claypits on the Lake foreshore. The opening ceremony started at 3 pm.
More photos here on a gallery
As we read in the Invitation, The Lake Jindabyne Community Stage represents a significant achievements for the community and will provide an important venue for local events and concerts, offering a wide range of socio-economic benefits to the region. The stage was built with the support of the Snowy River Shire Council, Snowy Hydro Ltd., NSW State Government, local businesses and community members.
The story of this unique endavour was told to us in a series of speeches, and the ceremony was crowned with the keys handover by the Organising Committee to the Mayor of Jindabyne, Tony Cahill. Guests were welcomed by a red hair, pleasant voice Tracey Clifton. Amongst special guests were: Steve Whan, former member for Monaro who managed to secure over $60,000 from the State Government to contribute to the Stage; councillors Tony Hayes and Neen Pendergast.
Designer & builder Michael Sell thanked all the companies who contributed to the construction of the Stage. Mayor Cahill delivered an acceptance speech. Pastor Mark Hunter had said the prayer.
Listen to the speeches. Dur. 15 min 34'
Peter Williams objects to my calling him the chief organiser. "Michael Sell was the principal figure in this enterprise as he was the builder / designer along with an engineering partner. My role was to liase with Council and find the funding required for the build. To my mind the combined efforts of ALL the Community has contributed to the asset you see on the lake foreshore. A triumph for the town and an impetus for increased tourism in the Summer".
I asked Peter how they had managed to secure all the finance. He explained: "Government funding for the Lake Jindabyne Community Stage was obtained through successful application to the 2010 NSW Government Building Partnership Program . Community support both financial and `in kind` were of great benefit. "Mountain Life Church" provided additional finance and support for the opening `Carols in the Park` event".
The ceremony was followed by an afternoon of family entertainment. The show was going on for several hours.
We have applauded many talented students, and the Jindabyne Singers as well as `Beautiful Imperfection` with Sue Sell, Erin Dovern, Roz Hickey and Tracey Clifton, Snowy Strings Orchestra and a choir , both from the Snowy Mountains Grammar School, we had young dancers from Jindabyne Central School. Colour and rhythm was brought by Miss Jenny's Dance Group. And a highlight of highlights was an appearance of Tim Draxl, a very popular local singer, Tim Draxl, an actor, performer and singer of international fame.
I personally was so happy to listen to the Snowy Strings Youth Orchestra led by Maryanne Simpson - it was the same group which had performed in February this year at Charlotte Pass Village during K'Ozzie Fest 2012.
Snowy Strings Youth Orchestra conducted by Maryanne Simpson, 1,37"
The weather was capricious: from sunshine to rain, to sunshine again, to thunders and blows of wind. But people were brave. They kept flocking in, carrying umbrellas, pitching tents, bringing raincoats, chairs, rugs, jackets, food and drinks. However, food and drinks were also on sale, with proceeds to local community groups.
The largest attendance (and the worst weather) coincided with Miss Jenny Dance Group performance. One had to admire sweet young dancers changing costumes in a lorry deck, dancing joyfully under the stage roofing, then running around, wet but not shivering, obviously happy. Onlookers who got cold and wet under the marquees decided to warm up and so have joined the dancers in front of the stage.
Sometime during a storm Fire Brigade vehicles arrived. I wondered what they were going to do here in such a weather, and only later on discovered the task they were to perform: fireworks! That was SOOOOO spectacular. Apparently it did cost a fortune: $5,000 which, as I hear, was paid by the members of the Mountain Life Church.
Fireworks 32 sec.
Hold on, the fireworks were preceeded by Carols in the Park with Tim Draxl and The Jindabyne Singers...and all the kids. With fluorescent candles in hand we helped ourselves with lyrics of the carols distrubuted to us right in time. And so "Joy to the World", and "The First Noel", and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing", and many more songs, finishing with "Jingle Bells". Councillor Neen Pendergast came onto stage to wish everyone Merry Christmas, and warned everyone to drive back home safely. I was personally moved, to me, she is like Mother of all town.
And all this happened in an unforgettable scenery: navy blue lake with Snowy Mountains in the backdrop, the stage with twinkling lights, barefoot kids running around like mad, and us, covered with rugs, sitting in tents and marquees...sipping wine.
Here we go: the kids & Snowy Mountains Singers, dur. 1 min 43'
Tim Draxl Biography
YouTube. Tim Draxl sings No One is Alone
What Tim says about flying
Photo: Organising Committee |
Favourite moment: takeoff or landing?
Hate them both. In all my years of travel – and that’s since I was born – takeoffs and landings still make me very nervous. But if I had to choose I’d say landing. Just knowing that I’m on solid ground again provides me with a brief moment of relief. Also the excitement of arriving at a destination with the possibility of an unforseen adventure makes the landing much more enjoyable.
(Blue shirt, second row) Tim Draxl with his family during the opening ceremony |
And speaking of flying: tomorrow Bogusia and I are going to the Jindabyne Aero Club to discuss some issues related to the Polish-Aboriginal Fraternity Flights which are to take place during the Sixth K'Ozzie Fest on 15th of April 2012. So another report will be filed tomorrow.
Ernestyna Skurjat-Kozek
More photos here on a gallery
An article in Monaro Post
Snowy River Echo heralding the construction of the stage
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