In the spirit in Buninyong

GET into the Christmas spirit this weekend with a visit to the Buninyong Christmas Festival at the town hall before it closes on the evening of Sunday 15 December.

Led by the Buninyong Town Hall Committee, the festival includes dioramas, displays and artworks, sales of handmade trees, gifts and treats, and Devonshire tea from the Buninyong CWA ladies.

Families can also post a letter to Santa, get their photo taken with the jolly man in red, and take part in the Find the Elves of Buninyong trail.

“Buninyong Christmas Festival involves the Buninyong Men’s Shed, the Buninyong Bowling Club, the CWA, Buninyong Community Events and all of Buninyong’s businesses and many community groups,” committee member Miranda Donald said.

“It’s not an overwhelming, loud or performance-based space but somewhere you can come in, send a letter to Santa, chill out for a while, have a scone and check out some work by creatives which are quite nostalgic.

“The hall lends itself well to a quiet, reflective space.

“Walk around town to find the elves of Buninyong. Maps are at all of the businesses in Buninyong and finished entry forms go back to the local servo.

“It’s a great multi-generational activity, the route is not too challenging and people can explore Buninyong in a very relaxed manner.”

The festival is manned by committee volunteers, and the CWA’s scones will be served tonight (Friday 13 December), tomorrow and Sunday.

Ms Donald said engaging the community in the town hall and activating the space is essential to its survival.

“Historic places need to be used because that’s how they’re preserved – with more use,” she said.

Buninyong Christmas Festival has been made possible with backing from the State Government’s Tiny Towns Fund, the Buninyong Lions Club and Community Bank Buninyong.

It is open from 10am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday, and from 10am until 8pm today.