Ray Mackey kept the team of magnificent Clydesdales on track ferrying people between C. J. Dennis Hall and the reserve.
By Kath Gannaway
TOOLANGI Reserve had a boost of activity over the Toolangi and Castella Community Festival weekend starting with an outdoor cinema and live music on the Saturday night to a full day of festival fun on the Sunday with some significant community milestones celebrated along the way.
The weekend, 12 and 13 November, included the official opening of Toolangi Primary School’s new multi-purpose room, library and outdoor area, the official handing over of Toolangi CFA’s new tanker, the launch of the Toolangi Youth Group and the annual C. J. Dennis Poetry Competition at nearby Arden.
Families rugged up and snuggled down for the free screening of Avatar surrounded by the tall mountain ash that Toolangi is famous for.
“The setting was an ideal for the choice of film, and the crowd munched on popcorn and pulled rugs and doonas around them as the temperature dropped and the full moon rose,” said festival co-ordinator Helen Collier.
The festival got into full swing on Sunday with Clydesdales giving wagon rides, free tethered hot air balloon flights, Irish dancing, live music, community groups, craft stalls, lots of games and activities and delicious food.
“It was great to see the reserve being used for a large, fun, happy community gathering and many are hoping it will be repeated again,” Ms Collier said.
