ACOUSTIC music, new lighting, gourmet food and a fireworks display were features of Saturday’s Waikerie Australia Day 2021 event, which stretched across a hot afternoon, and a cool, bright evening.
Waikerie Australia Day committee chair Brenton Kay said despite COVID-19 difficulties leading up to the day, the night was a “huge success”.
“(The) event was hugely different to previous years due to the many changing COVID-19 restrictions the committee had to abide to in the early days of planning last year,” he said.
“We had to cap the attendees at 1000, which meant all tickets needed to be bought prior to the event, and no one was let in at the gate on the night – that was a first for this event.
“Plus, all the food had to be pre-ordered as well, as we couldn’t set up the usual array of food stalls.
“Despite the challenges that we came up against over the months and the hot weather we had on Saturday, it was a really great night, with fantastic entertainment courtesy of our acoustic music acts – Ben and Anne Leahy, Kelly Menhennett, and Tristan Kemp – as well as rides, face-painting and a magician wandering the tables across the night.”
Gates opened at the Waikerie Football Oval at 5.45pm, with a short service held at the football club rooms at 6pm, followed by the Citizen of the Year presentations at 7.30pm.
Waikerie resident Karen Richardson was named Citizen of the Year for the many hours she has spent over the years volunteering at the Waikerie Primary School to support children’s learning, as well as at the Rain Moth Gallery, Rotary Club of Waikerie, Waikerie Rotary Opp Shop, and hosting fundraisers at her home for the Biggest Morning Tea.
Community Event of the Year went to the Waikerie Christmas Decoration committee for the Waikerie Christmas Tree Trail, which saw over 100 wooden 3D Christmas trees set up in Federation Park, designed and decorated by local community groups, schools and businesses.
DCLW Mayor Leon Stasinowsky presented the awards and congratulated all nominees.
“The list of nominees was extensive and all were very deserving,” he said.
“Volunteers are the foundation of a strong community and on behalf of the community, we are truly grateful for the many hours our local volunteers have committed to the betterment of our district.”
Meanwhile, food was served on behalf of the Waikerie Club, Waikerie Hotel, Rotary Club of Waikerie and Waikerie Junior Football Club.
“All the food served met COVID-19 requirements, which was another hurdle the committee faced,” Mr Kay said.
“I also really commend my fellow committee members for all the work we’ve put into making this event happen; it’s one of the biggest and most anticipated on the Waikerie calendar. All of the committee members are volunteers and are very busy in their own businesses and personal lives…
“A further thanks to all our sponsors of the event – thank you for helping us keep this great event running through what was a difficult year.”
With a new theme and set-up, the Waikerie Australia Day event also had a new look: hundreds of fairy lights were strung up over the tables, while trees around the oval were lit up.
“It looked absolutely fantastic when the sun went down,” Mr Kay said.
“I had a lot of locals and out-of-towners comment positively on the lighting, and ask if it was something we were considering making permanent for events, and the committee certainly will think about it.
“A huge thank you to Jason and Russell Duncan, and Mitch Wood, for setting up the lights on Friday; it was a big job on a hot day, so we really appreciate their efforts.
“I’d also like to thank our Member for Barker Tony Pasin, who worked alongside the committee and helped us secure $17,000 in grant funding for the event.”
Mr Pasin attended the event on Saturday, and said after so many events were cancelled in 2020, it was “great to see” the Waikerie community come together to celebrate Australia Day.
“It was really fun celebrating Australia Day in Waikerie on Saturday,” he said.
“Congratulations to the Waikerie Australia Day award winners who were acknowledged on the night…
“Well done to Brenton Kay and all the dedicated members of the Waikerie Australia Day Spectacular committee on running another fantastic event in spite of difficult circumstances.
“I was so pleased that the Federal Government was able to assist the running of this event with an Australia Day grant of $17,000.
“Let’s hope next year we can celebrate Australia Day in Waikerie without any of the limitations imposed by COVID-19.”

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