Bellarine sings

THE Bellarine came together for a weekend of carols with Portarlington and Barwon Heads putting on their biggest Christmas celebrations in years.

Hundreds of people flocked to Portarlington Park last Friday to herald the return of the town’s carols after consecutive years of pandemic induced cancellations.

“How great to be back together after two years… thanks so much to our amazing community for supporting the carols,” organiser Julie Rock said.

“And thanks to all those who were part of the set up and pack down teams… the hardest part of the event.”

There were similar scenes of merriment at the Barwon Heads community hall on the following Sunday for the carols hosted by the town’s Fine Music Society, with standing room only in the venue.

“We haven’t had it since 2019, that’s why it was so fantastic that we filled the hall and there were people standing in the aisles,” Barwon Heads Fine Music Society president Maggie Isom said.

“We were worried that people wouldn’t come due to COVID, but it was just great to have the music back in Barwon Heads again.”

With conductor Terry Norman at the helm and Ian Cover from Coodabeen Champions fame MC’ing the night, the Barwon Heads Chorale had pianist Sara Brownell providing the musical accompaniment along with long time violinist Kel Parry and her three children; Jess on violin, Chloe on the cello and Raf on the clarinet.

“The whole community turned out, it was terrific,” Ms Isom said.

“The audience joined in with about ten carols, and we really had fun singing the 12 days of Christmas.

“We raised money to go to the Christmas bowl, which supports refugees and people without any food, it’s one of the Uniting Churches fundraisers that stretches around the world.

“When the community gets together again and sings it’s really good fun, it’s good for your health and mental wellbeing… there was one year olds and 90 years olds.”