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Festival of food, song and dance

Posted on October 24, 2011

SUPPORT is growing for a Sunraysia multi-cultural festival being planned by Nichols Point Cricket Club for early next year.

THANKS: As our original story told, in words and pictures, the Pukapuka Islanders always thanked their opponents, on this occasion Cardross, with a traditional Haka.

The celebrations, under the banner ‘A Day on The Islands,’ will have special significance for some of our newest residents, the sports-loving folk from the Danger Islands (See story in Sport today), but the festival will embrace all cultures.

Organisers are hoping that a wide mix of sporting clubs from Sunraysia will join Nichols Point soccer, rugby and cricket clubs for a family fun day and night of food, song and dance on the Nichols Point oval off 5th Street.

The concept has solid support from the close-knit Nichols Point Community, along with Federal Member for Mallee John Forrest and State Member for Mildura Peter Crisp, who have commended the idea to the Minister for Multi-cultural Affairs and Citizenship, Nicholas Kotsiras, in the hope of attracting a sizeable grant for the event.

As Mr Forrest wrote; “The purpose is to strengthen the bonds between locals of all religious, social and ethnic denominations. It will demonstrate Cook Islander lifestyle, food, dress, cultural diversity and religion in a carnival atmosphere.”

Nichols Point Cricket Club officials are also hoping for support from Mildura Rural City Council, Sunraysia Ethnic Communities Council, and local business houses and individuals.

As well as a fun day and night of food and entertainment, ‘A Day on The Island’ is being seen as an important fund-raiser by Nichols Point sporting clubs for a complete re-vamp of the Nichols Point Oval and facilities.

The club isn’t pre-empting anything, but plans have been drawn up for a multi-function centre that will be shared by the local soccer, cricket and rugby clubs. Existing basic facilities, which are in a state of disrepair and outdated after many decades of use, will be demolished to make way for the new building.

But Nichols Point has a priority…and that is to replace and increase the existing turf wickets on the oval, with the aim of laying down four pitches within two years. The practice nets are also in line for a major upgrade in a facelift that is expected to cost around $46,000 overall. The pavilion and facilities might cost as much as $500,000.

Nichols Point has managed to save a bit of money over the years, and is hoping for a two-for-one Government subsidy for any improvement work that is carried out.

As well as the rugby and soccer teams, Nichols Point now fields cricket teams in the Sunraysia Cricket Association Seconds, Thirds and Fourths, there’s Under 14, Under 12 and Under 10 teams, and a women’s side.

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