The Aireys Fair returns after three-year absence

THE community of Aireys Inlet and its neighbouring towns are celebrating a successful return of the annual Aireys Fair, raising more than $20,000 for valuable resources used by the local school.

Organised by parents and friends of Aireys Inlet Primary School months in advance, community groups and hospitality businesses gathered at the school on Saturday with an assortment of musical performances, rides and market stalls for the first time in three years.

Committee member Karen Jacques, who helped produce the Aireys Fair for her last time, said it was fantastic to see the community pull together again and raise about $25,000.

“The support we had this year was great and everyone was saying just how great it was to have the event back in town.

“It’s such a community-focused event, everybody enjoys it, and the event being on a long weekend each year, we have people from far and wide coming down.

“For our school in particular, because we haven’t been able to hold the event the previous two years, there were an abundance of families who hadn’t yet experienced The Aireys Fair before.

“So, they really got the chance to see the fair first-hand and are now really excited to bring it to life next year.”

The majority of funds raised on the day will go towards the school’s Bluearth Foundation program, a non-profit organisation that aims to actively engage students that are under resourced, particularly in regional areas.

Fellow school parent and committee member Katie Boag said other funds will be diverted toward iPad replacements, art supplies and Indigenous excursions for students to attend around the region.

“There would have been between 17 and 20 stalls on the school grounds Saturday, both parent-run stalls and community-run stalls alike.

“A lot of people offered to put their hands up. Couple that with the fact that Aireys Inlet Primary is quite a small school now, roughly 40 families, it was fantastic to see everyone giving us some of their own time.”

The Aireys Fair received the Surf Coast Shire’s Community Event of the Year in early-2020 and will seek to host next year’s event in its usual timeslot on the Saturday before the Melbourne Cup on November 4, 2023.