08 MARCH 2023 | ISSUE 519 | FREE
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A Festival Full of Watery Delights The 2023 Nagambie On Water Festival has been hailed a fantastic success, with festival-goers thrilled by the celebration of water activities which took place on and beside the beautiful Lake Nagambie on february 25th. Nagambie On Water Festival organisers say thousands of people joined in the activities during the day attracting visitation to the region. Andrea Richards, Nagambie on Water committee member said, “The NOW festival was a buzz of activity and entertainment on and off the water and it was terrific to see the festival back in town showcasing our lakeside community. Go Nagambie executive officer Sissy Hoskin said, “We took a punt and decided to hold the event on a ‘non’ long weekend to entice visitation to town. We are delighted with the outcome. Many businesses in town reported increased foot traffic
and the new on water inflatable park, Wacky Splash & Play smashed all records reaching capacity during the afternoon sessions. Ms Richards said the feedback from visitors about the event was overwhelming. “We’re always very proud of this event, but when visitors to town and long term residents tell you that it’s the best value for money event they have taken their families to in quite some time, well we think that’s a pretty impressive accolade,” she said. Strathbogie Shire’s Town Crier James Carter announced the start of the 16th NOW Festival and performed his Town Crier duties admirably on the day. Mr Carter has become a regular at the annual event with the 2023 festival marking his 16th appearance. The GoNagambie Club2Pub open water swim was once again a challenge for young and adult swimmers with over 120 competing. It is always a popular event both for the swimmers and spectators and this year was no exception. The 600 metres was raced on the eastern side of the Lake’s bowl area and the 1.1km race further out
on the western side of the Bowl. Race Spectators encouraged the swimmers to complete the course from the park swim launch area and the lakeside viewing points. Event lead, John Hurley said, “The Swim was a huge success, with participants enjoying the challenge of the 1.1km and 600m swim. It was great to be back in the lake bowl for the swim and we look forward to growing the event in 2024 and beyond.’ The annual Costa Community Canoe Challenge was opened by local MP Annabelle Cleeland, who paid tribute to the important work of local emergency service and frontline workers, including Victoria Police, the CFA, Ambulance Victoria and Nagambie Healthcare. The sailing boats were a site to be seen on Lake Nagambie with Nagambie Sailing Club Commodore Beverley Guest-Smith reporting that the phrase spoken often at the festival was “How lovely to see sails on the lake”. Some folk relaxed while cruising the lake on the Go Adventure Nagambie pontoon boat
cruise and some became competitive in the Costa Canoe Team Challenge. The operators of the GoAdventure Stay and Play activities were very happy with the response of the patrons who enjoyed the canoes, kayaks, hobie boards, pedal boats or water boards and other leisure watercraft fun. Younger visitors loved the bungee trampoline, laser tag, water orbs, petting zoo and climbing wall. The Tahbilk Great Grape Stomp was squishy for competitors, the Great Kelvingrove Floating Golf Shoot saw many floating golf balls hit into the lake with a handful landing on the green and the Elloura Colour splash coloured many a body and the Goulburn Gallop Yabbie races attracted a crowd. St Joseph’s School and Nagambie Primary Schools' Festival artwork was well worth a look and there were a few lucky winners that took home a prize thanks to sponsorship from Nagambie Newsagency, Nagambie Post Office, Nagambie Outdoors and Nagambie Bargains. Continued on page 3.