Only two weeks after the launch of the Whitehorse Seniors Festival, the Nunawading Community Hub again played host to a community event with more than twenty thousand visitors to the 2022 Whitehorse Spring Festival.
Despite some muddy patches in Tunstall Park, the sun shone on a wonderful array of performances, activities, community stalls, roving entertainers, rides and food vendors, with the trapeze act set up on the lawns outside the Hub drawing gasps from the crowd with their high-flying performances throughout the day.
The theme of the event was “Our Backyard” a celebration of the community coming together and enjoying the collective backyard we all share – Whitehorse!
Information marquee
U3A Nunawading had an information marquee in Tunstall Park hosting a variety of displays and demonstrations of U3A activities throughout the day. These included Calligraphy by Yoko Yuasa, a selection of rocks collected by Peter Jackson and his Geology class, a short drawing demonstration by Paul Makinson and Chess with Alan Gray, which proved extremely popular with the very young generation.
The many enquiries received regarding U3A Nunawading and what it can offer and “where is it” indicated an increased membership for 2023.
Great performances
The anticipation for our performers in the lead up to the event was gripping. “Would the Festival be a washout or free from inclement weather?” Thankfully, it turned out to be simply marvellous.
The Expression Stage in Studios 1 & 2 was filled with colour, laughter, movement, zest and excitement. The mix of performances gave the crowd nothing short of a wow factor of what U3A Nunawading has to offer.
The enthusiastic audience was entertained by a smooth and relaxed Tai Chi demonstration (Rita Chew), the vibrant colours of costumes of various graceful dances (Herminia Harrison, Yvonne DeSousa, Lan Tiet, Ying Zhou and Evelyn Tan), the energetic, fun of Zumba (Paulina Chong), bouts of laughter from Laughter Yoga (June Cheung) and the serene singing of old time favourites by our Choir (Maureen Milton). Many of those watching could not resist getting to their feet and joining in throughout the day.
We also had our Line Dancing group led by Herminia Harrison on the Deakin Stage, which gave outdoor spectators a taste of another popular U3A activity.
Well done everyone
A great day in spring indeed! All in all, an awesome day, which was extremely well attended!!
Many thanks to all who participated to represent our U3A in such a good light and particularly to Frank Baseden and Paulina Chong who managed our marquee and performers respectively.
See the 2022 Whitehorse Spring Festival in pictures