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Support for fair 'overwhelming'

 

Organisers of the recent Combined Schools Country Fair (CSCF) at Umina have thanked Peninsula residents for their "overwhelming support" of the day held on September 22.

CSCF treasurer Ms Carmel Meany said the 15 stalls run by school, parent and community groups raised almost $30,000 to be divided between the six participating Peninsula schools.

"The weather was magnificent and certainly contributed to the attendance figures as families came out to enjoy the day," said organising committee member Ms Liz McMinn.

The Rotary Club of Woy Woy and the local Aboriginal Educational Consultative Group (AECG) ran sausage sizzle and steak sandwich stalls respectively and contributed almost $1100 each to the total.

Westpac Childflight and Rachael Bears' fundraising for cancer research both raised considerable amounts for their charities.

Other stallholders also reported a successful day.

Display stallholders, from sport to mental health, reported a high degree of interest from the visitors at the Fair.

The community bank committee was very pleased with the pledges received from Peninsula residents at the Fair, according to Cr Debra Wales,.

Paviers Amusements reported an estimated crowd attendance of over 15,000 people and stalls ran out of food and drinks before 1pm.

Local Umina supermarkets reportedly sold out of soft drink cans as stall holders tried to buy stocks to carry them through the afternoon.

St Johns Ambulance reported only minor mishaps and security said the crowd was very well behaved. Both organisations donated their services for the day.

Ettalong Public School principal Mr Bruce Donaldson said the day embodied everything the schools set out to accomplish with such an event.

"The day was never just about making money, so the $30,000 is a real bonus," he said.

"In combining the resources of six schools, we wanted to unite the Peninsula community in support for our students and we wanted teach our children the value of working together to achieve such a fantastic outcome.

"We gained tremendous support from the business community and, best of all, students, parents, teachers and community groups all contributed to the planning, organising and volunteering on the day.

"The overwhelming success and support for the fair has created an interest in holding the event every two years, and it seems the Peninsula residents enjoyed having an event of this nature right in their own backyard."

Energy Australia was the major sponsor for the day supplying power for the stall holders, requiring a special generator.

Liz McMinn, October 16