Rotary to revive free frightful fun

WITH Halloween arriving next Tuesday, members of Alfredton Rotary are bringing their seasonal celebrations back from the dead with a community party.

Taking place for the first time since 2019, club member and public image coordinator Deb Robertson said their aim is to provide families and children a safe space to ring in the spooky tradition.

“It’s to give them that way of celebrating Halloween without having to knock on the doors of people they don’t know,” she said.

“That’s the reason we originally set it up in 2016 so that’s still the main aim and also just to have a bit of fun in the community.

“We were hoping to have it last year but the site was just too wet because of the floods.”

Activities like body part tossing, plaster painting, a monster display, and face painting will feature in the event while costumed kids will receive a free sausage and bag of lollies.

Previously held at the Alfredton Recreation Reserve, and run online with colouring and photo competitions during COVID, the free event will this year take place at Lucas Central Park.

With past parties organised mainly with the help of other Rotary clubs, the upcoming evening is being financially supported for the first time by staff at property developer Integra.

“We’ve also got Ballarat Grammar students running activities for us like we used to,” Ms Robertson said.

“We’ll also have Venturer Scouts helping, and some from the Alfredton Lucas Probus Club so expanded.”

Having grown from a few hundred attendees in its first year to about 2000 in 2019, Ms Robertson said she’s keen to see the event return bigger and better than before.

“I think the community’s pretty excited,” she said. “Things are a bit of a struggle right now for a lot of people so it’s just a free event, some games, and activities.

“It’s low tech, unplugged community fun. I just love seeing the looks on the kids’ faces when they’re doing things like colouring in or making a mask. They’re so intent and happy.”

Alfredton Rotary Club’s community Halloween party will take place on Tuesday 31 October from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.