Established in 1875 as the
proudly serving Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay
30 APRIL, 2025
Festival fires up The banks of the Maribyrnong River in Footscray will come alive with the heat of forges and the rhythmic clang of hammers as the highly anticipated Blacksmiths Festival returns on May 17-18. Festival-goers will witness master blacksmiths shaping molten steel in real-time demonstrations, while browsing the artisan market for unique hand-forged treasures. The ever-popular kidsmith zone invites children under 12 to create their own keepsakes, while the blacksmith games arena presents inventive, one-of-a-kind challenges and old world fun. The festival also offers a range of workshops, including sessions designed for total beginners, women, and neurodivergent individuals. Festival co-ordinator, Lisa Fitzgerald said a major highlight of this year’s festival will be the collaborative forging masterclass which will create a sculpture in honour of the late Maribyrnong councillor Sarah Carter. “Over five days, 14 blacksmiths will work together to forge a sculptural contemplative seat, guided by the expertise of Canadian blacksmith Sandra Dunn,” Ms Fitzgerald said The festival aims to showcase traditional blacksmithing while celebrating the art, skill, and community involved in the craft. Details: blacksmithsfestival.com
Robbie Alderson and Steve Phillips. (Damjan Janevski) 471177_03
Lauren wants zero deaths Lauren Philpot, 24, is raising awareness for a cause very close to her heart having lost her mother, Leigh, to breast cancer. A lifelong Maribyrnong resident, Lauren is a passionate crusader for breast cancer research having raised more than $142,000 for the Mother’s Day Classic over the past four years. Lauren’s mum, Leigh, was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2017, just five months after her 50th birthday. She beat it only for the cancer to return in April 2021, as Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer. In 2021 Lauren formed, The Leigh Leigh’s to take part in their first Mother’s Day Classic. Around 50 of Lauren and Leigh’s family and
friends donned their sneakers to participate in the MDC location at Flemington Racecourse and raised an incredible $15,800 for their efforts. The following year, Lauren put her hand up to become an ambassador for MDC. She pushed her Mum in her wheelchair around the MDC’s biggest location at The Tan, with the group raising $8,500. In 2023, Leigh could not make the start line for the Mother’s Day Classic as she was in hospital. Lauren, her brother Max and The Leigh Leighs Facetimed when they crossed the finish line. That year they raised $30,600. “One of the last events Mum ever attended
was the Mother’s Day Classic Media Launch,” Lauren said. “A few weeks later, she cheered The Leigh Leigh’s on Mother’s Day from her hospital bed only to pass away a couple days after that. “Don’t cry, she would tell me. She was afraid, but so incredibly brave. “She kept fighting to stay alive, even when her body had already shut down.” Leigh sadly passed away in May 2023. “My Mum and I had a wish that we still share, zero deaths caused by Breast Cancer by 2030,” Lauren explained. “For that to happen, there needs to be more funds going towards research.”
Last year Lauren led The Leigh Leigh’s in Leigh’s legacy, supporting others going through the same thing. More than 100 participants walked in Leigh’s honour, raising $16,200. This year Lauren is stepping up to host a Mother’s Day Classic event at Maribyrnong, one of 85 locations that will take place on Sunday, May 11. Lauren, a lifetime resident of the area, will stage an MDC event on the banks of Maribyrnong River starting/finishing at Coulson Gardens. The location will play host to a festival hub including market, entertainment and food trucks. Continued Page 2
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