ROTARY Club of Maffra launched its 2023 Mardi Gras (theme: The Circus!) at Duart Homestead on Thursday February 2.
The launch officially opens the six-week opportunity for fundraising for each organisation.
Fundraising events range from raffles at the Maffra Community Sports Club, to a Family Movie Night at the Recreation Reserve (February 17), music from the Stars Concert at Maffra Memorial Hall (February 25) and the Golf District Sports Club Challenge (February 26).
Also launched was the 2023 Mardi Gras Poster, created by talented young designer Sharni Elizabeth.
Wellington Shire Council Mayor, Ian Bye, and councillor Carmel Ripper were in attendance, along with members of the Rotary Club of Maffra and the Mardi Gras Committee.
Other Mardi Gras sponsors present included Rob Christie from the Community Bank Maffra and Districts, as well as Brooke Davis and Andrea Hammond from Adams Accounting.
Committee members from each of the participating organisations came along to offer support to the entrants.
Each entrant gave a short talk about the organisations they belong to, and the projects they are fundraising for.
Myah Proud spoke about her involvement with the Maffra Football-Netball Club, both as a player and coach, over the last six years. The funds raised from the Mardi Gras will go towards the redevelopment of the netball shed and change rooms.
Myah is excited to be part of the Mardi Gras as it gives her the opportunity to give back to her club and to the local community as a whole.
Jan Robbins spoke about the Maffra Golf Club course, and the need for an automated watering system, valued at $800,000.
Work is starting soon, with one fairway at a time being fitted in order to interrupt play as little as possible.
All the money raised from the Mardi Gras will reduce the loan that has been taken out. It is hoped that work will be completed within three months.
Nakayla Lindemann talked about the history of the Maffra Municipal Band, which started in 1895.
For most of that time it was a single band, a brass band and then a concert band. Now, it has grown to include five different groups: a training band, concert band, stage band, string ensemble, and this year, a ukulele group will be starting on Wednesday mornings.
The money raised at the Mardi Gras will go towards the purchase of a large instrument, like a baritone saxophone or an orchestral xylophone.
Cr Bye spoke after the entrants, thanking them all for their valuable work for their community organisations, and wished them all the best for their fundraising efforts.
He talked about the importance of volunteering in the community, stating that around $3 million has been raised at the Mardi Gras over the years.
Rotary president Mark Saddington also spoke about the work involved in running the Mardi Gras, and thanked the committee for their efforts.
Each entrant will have a float in the Mardi Gras parade. Thanks to the Community Bank, Maffra and Districts, there are cash prizes for the winning floats, ranging from $500 to $3000.
Street stall and food stall holders are welcome to apply, and the kids’ corner (free of charge). Carnival rides and musical entertainment will provide amusement for everyone during the evening.
The 2023 Maffra Mardi Gras officially takes place on Saturday, March 18.
Wellington Shire councillor Carmel Ripper, or Ian Bye, chairman of the Board of the Community Bank Maffra and Districts, Rob Christie, chairman of the Rotary Club of Maffra Mardi Gras Committee Veronica Dwyer, president of the Rotary Club of Maffra, Mark Saddington, and Mardi Gras Committee members Jo Chambers; Claire Cochrane and Ted Mitchell.
