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Organisers declare Spikefest a success

Organisers of Spikefest have declared the festival a success, with support for all the events on the Peninsula.

Spikefest Committee chairman Cr Chris Holstein said that there was a 90 per cent sell out for all the professional, amateur and community performances.

"We are delighted. We are really thrilled with the way it all went," he said.

Cr Holstein said that there was international interest with New Zealand holding a mini walking backwards parade, and Lewisham England, Spike's other hometown, looking to hold a similar festival next year.

Next year organisers are also considering integrating a jazz festival and short film festival.

"Spike had a love of jazz music," Cr Holstein said.

He said that organisers learnt a lot about what they could improve on and expand on.

"We want to make it not only significant for the region but acknowledged as a national and international event," he said.

One of the well-attended events of Spikefest was the comedy competition.

Up and coming comedian Brett Nichols was named winner of the amateur comedy competition at Lizotte's, Ettalong War Memorial Club, winning airline tickets to the Gold Coast or Melbourne.

Central Coast comedian Daria came second winning $500 cash and James Daley came third also winning $500.

At Stanleys by the Sea at Ettalong Beach War Memorial Club on Saturday, October 11, Melbourne cartoonist Rolf Heimann was named Cartoonist of the Year.

Heimann snagged the award in a strong field which included former Cartoonists of the Year Eric Löbbecke from News Ltd, comic cartoonist James Kemsley - Ginger Meggs, Alan Moir from the Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian Financial Review's David Pope and first-time nominee Vince O'Farrell from the Illawarra Mercury.

Rolf and Lila Heimann won a South Pacific cruise for two from P&O South Pacific.

In the comic and crazy verse competition, Dave Proust won the Golden Spike award for his poem '"The Surfie in the Outback".'

"The competition and cavalcade of comic and crazy verse was a howling success," organiser David Dufty said.

"At the Saturday matinee, Dave Proust had the children and their parents in convulsions.

"It showed the children the skills that they may some day develop.

"In the primary school section, children from local primary schools contributed some excellent poems and illustrations and presented them with great confidence and humour," he said.

Spike Milligan's daughters Laura and Jane presented Spike's poems for the matinee performance.

"Jane sang a beautiful song composed by Spike and Laura presented the prizes to the children," David Dufty said.

For the open competition, Desmond Milligan presented Spike's poems and gave the prizes to the winners on Friday, October 10.

In the Puckoon Cup, the Umina first grade cricket team defeated Woy Woy by 153 runs.

Umina made 7/ 232 while Woy Woy made 79 runs.

Greg Somers was named people's choice award in the "Picasso according to Spike" competition for his piece entitled "Who was that masked man?"

Second place was Matt Adams for his piece "Rembrandt according to Picasso (Spike)."

Third place went to the children's masks entitled "Funny Faces" made by children from Wamberal Public School.

Cr Holstein said that there were adjustments that needed to be made for next year's festival

He said that it was great to see so many festivals on the Peninsula.

"Its good for business. It's good for the community."

Alison Branley, October 15