Fun in the sun on Bunny’s big day

IT was all about celebrating bunny ears and chocolate eggs on Sunday as Smythesdale’s historic precinct turned into an Easter festival.

Run by the town’s progress association, the Easter Children’s Fun Day featured themed activities like crafts and food decoration, a barbecue and raffle, as well as a visit from the star attraction – the Easter Bunny.

Organiser Lin Hocking-Turnbull said the fun day came about because the community missed out on another big event.

“Because of COVID we couldn’t run our normal Christmas carols, so we decided to turn it into an Easter event,” she said.

“It’s all been paid for by the community coordinators, so it doesn’t cost anybody anything, and we just thought it would be a nice thing to do.

“We’ve had the Easter Bunny once though this morning and she’s on her way back.”

That idea about being able to bring people together in a post-COVID world resonated with Elizabeth Walsh.

The Snake Valley resident brought along her two boys, Conner and Hamish, and they were getting busy decorating bunny themed biscuits and making baskets for the all-important Easter eggs.

“It’s just fun,” Ms Walsh said. “They love Easter, they love lollies, but they love the activities and face painting mostly.

“It’s something we haven’t been able to do for a while. They’ve had Australia Day and now they’ve had this, and they’ve really enjoyed them both.

“They’ve had a lot of isolation, so to be able to do things with other kids again is nice.”

Run by the Smythesdale Progress Association and supported by the Woady Yaloak Historical Society, the day was also backed by a range of volunteers and community businesses including the town’s IGA supermarket, Linda’s Gifts, Nail Em Beauty and Barry Plant Real Estate.

“We’ve had people cutting out bunny shapes and rabbit ears and faces and everything for weeks,” Ms Hocking-Turnbull said.

“We’ve been very lucky with the support from our sponsors and volunteers. It just makes life so much easier.”