Aireysistible breaks fundraising record

A SOLD-OUT crowd of 150 people attended Aireysistible at the weekend, an annual fundraising event hosted by Aireys Inlet Rural Australians for Refugees (AIRAR) as part of Love Winter in Aireys.

Guests enjoyed the action at this year’s instalment, with many joining in on dance and song at the Aireys Inlet Community Hall before listening to moving stories from refugees who have settled in Australia.

Two refugee students from North Geelong Secondary College, Bibi Shakili Musawi and Nilufar Bizani, were also in attendance.

Both students recently received a scholarship from AIRAR and spoke of their gratitude to be given an education.

Event coordinator Mary Bremner said the event raised a record $8,500.

“As the major fundraiser for the Aireys Inlet Rural Australians for Refugees group, the community support was terrific,” she said.

“We raised $8,500 and this will enable us to continue to support local refugee initiatives.”

With less than a month of Love Winter in Aireys remaining, festivalgoers are invited to step into the realm of an immersive enchanted forest this weekend to discover fireflies in the bushland surrounding Aireys Primary School.

The eighth annual Surf Coast Arts Trail will also delight the Great Ocean Road this weekend, with some of Aireys’ youngest creatives locked in to showcase their work around town.

Love Winter in Aireys is presented annually by the Aireys Inlet Tourism and Traders Association, with support from the Surf Coast Shire.

For event details, visit aireysinlet.org.au or follow facebook.com/AireysInlet for updates.