Town delights in setting night alight

THE community of Cape Clear and surrounds was on fire last weekend… in a good way.

The town’s Community Hall Committee of Management hosted their third winter solstice bonfire at the reserve, bringing 150 adults and children together.

Accepting gold coin donations on entry, the committee was able to generate funds for the hall, but mostly organised the night to bring friends, old and new, together in a warm environment.

Hall Committee and Cape Clear Fire Brigade member Terry Kelly said this year’s bonfire is the first they’ve been able to be burn since the pandemic.

“We were happy to see people come out and make the most of the bonfire which was really quite spectacular, and it’s probably the biggest crowd we’ve ever had,” he said.

“An event like the bonfire is incredibly important to bring people to our community and to connect again.

“Although it’s aimed at the immediate community, we had people there from all our neighbouring towns; Rokewood, Berringa, Linton, Scarsdale, Smythesdale and Ballarat.”

Local school children participated in a lantern parade before the bonfire was lit, CFA volunteers cooked up a barbecue, and there was live music by Garibaldi five-piece band The Hardies Hillbillies.

“We are so grateful to all the committee and Cape Clear CFA members who helped out,” Mr Kelly said.

“Over the last two-and-a-half years with COVID, small community halls have been going broke because nobody was able to rent the halls, and there were no community fundraising events, but bills still had to be paid.

“Events like the bonfire at the moment are so important to support the upkeep.”

The bonfire was attended by local government and State representatives including Golden Plains Shire’s Cr Helena Kirby and Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle. The event was supported by the Shire, and The Printer Wizard in Ballarat.