Volunteers sought for Battle of Traf

Volunteers and committee members are being sought to help continue the Battle of Trafalgar Festival.

The organising committee will hold its annual general meeting At the Anglican Community Complex, Contingent St, Trafalgar on December 12 at 7pm.

The festival returned in October this year and a small committee is keen to keep the momentum going for future years.

Archdeacon Sue Jacka, who has been on the festival committee for a number of years, said the one-day family focussed festival was well received and the committee was keen to continue with a similar format.

She said a highlight was the return of the land boat races. She said demonstrations from various community groups, a school choir, dance groups and a special demonstration from Jarred Waddle-Smith from Trafalgar Vet with his dog Rumbles were all well received by visitors.

Rev Jacka said a survey of community members a couple of years ago indicated people wanted a daytime festival rather than the community night with fireworks that had been held in the past.

She said the three-week festival also had become a strain on volunteers and not all events were well attended.

The aim is to focus on a one-day activity, which would be held in conjunction with an event each year at Trafalgar’s Holden Museum.

She said they hoped to build the number of land boat race participants and market stalls.

Rev Jacka said 12 people attended the debrief meeting following this year’s festival and there was a lot of enthusiasm to continue the event and grow it.

She said the biggest issue was fundraising and attracting volunteers.

The festival is run by volunteers. All committee positions are vacant and there are positions as ordinary committee members as well as president, vice president, secretary and treasurer.