Sunbury’s popular SunFest turns the big 40 in style

SUNFEST has come a long way and battled many obstacles to make it to its 40th anniversary, since starting as Sunbury Fair.

choir group from killara primary sunbury

THE entertainment line-up for the inaugural Sunbury Fair was as impressive as the $8400 profit the event made 40 years ago.

Records from the time reveal 28 individuals or acts performed over three days for the 1976 celebration, which also included a 170m fly-past by seven Tiger Moths. The April 2-4 festival kicked off on a Friday night with the “Sunbury Fair Dance” at the Memorial Hall.

A surprising amount of money was raised that weekend by charging people who wanted to mingle with the stars of the Australian television series Tandarra, which was being filmed at Sunbury’s Emu Bottom Homestead. The 13-episode show was set during the 1850s Victorian gold rush and was the follow-up to Cash and Company, which had been filmed at the historic homestead the year before.

“We had queues back around to the bridge,” said Emu Bottom Homestead owner and inaugural fair organiser Hadley Elliott. “Television is a powerful drawcard.”

Mr Elliott and his wife Janet had bought the farmhouse in 1968 and restored it to reflect the pioneering past of its original owner George Evans, circa 1836. Today it is used for functions and events.

It was a casual conversation between Mr Elliott and a member of the homestead kitchen staff, Sue Fisher, during which the idea for the Sunbury Fair — now known as SunFest — was formed.

“I remember we were talking about catering and then something came up about doing a fair,” Mr Elliott said. “Looking back on our statement of income, I’m surprised by how much money we made. It would be the equivalent of $30-40,000 in today’s money. It provided the seed funding (for future festivals).”

Mr Elliott was president of a small committee, of no more than 10 people, for about six years before deciding to step down “to let someone else step in”.

“It was one of those things where, if it ended well that was that, or if people wanted it enough it would continue,” Mr Elliott said. “It just shows that an idea only need start with one person, then who knows where it might lead.”

Mr Elliott will take part in the Grand Street Parade at this year’s SunFest to mark the 40th anniversary of an idea that now attracts around 30,000 people on the third weekend in March each year.

Inaugural Sunbury Fair president Hadley Elliott at Emu Bottom Homestead. Picture: Dennis Manktelow

Killara on song

Killara Primary School choir children are in fine voice in the lead up to defending their title at SunFest’s Battle of the School Choirs.

A record number of youngsters, ranging from grades one to six, have joined in the singing this year after the school took the competition’s top accolade for a second consecutive year last March.

This year, the 65 youngsters performing will sing a medley of five songs with the word “shake” in the title.

Performing arts teacher and choir leader Kelli Brogan said the expanded group was having a lot of fun despite the challenge of singing songs they weren’t as familiar.

“They’re a great bunch of kids who want to be part of this,” Ms Brogan said. “They know that even if we don’t win it this year, we’re going to have lots of fun. We’ve upped the ante because the ones that have done it before need the challenge and they have embraced it — they love it.”

The Battle of the School Choirs is part of Saturday’s Sunfest entertainment on the main stage from 10am.

At a glance

This year’s festivities kick off on the Village Green, corner O’Shanassy and Brook streets, at 5.30pm on Friday, March 18 with the ever-popular talent competitions, Sunbury idol and Sunbury Can Dance.

Saturday’s entertainment includes the Battle of the School Choirs, along with market stalls, amusement rides, carnival games and roving entertainers. The SunFest Grand Street Parade will start at 12.30pm with a colourful mix of displays, floats and costumes.

SunFest Under the Stars is from 7pm with an Irish theme to mark St Patrick’s Day, followed by fireworks at 9.30pm. Sunbury hard rock cover band No Vacancy will keep the party going until 11pm.

On Sunday, the live stage entertainment commences at noon following the sixth SunFest Walk and Run for Fun from which entrance fee proceeds will go towards supporting the Rotary Club of Sunbury Family Community Kitchen, beyondblue and Hume Men’s Shed (Sunbury).

Visit sunfest.org.au