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Galley | New Year’s Eve celebrations in Mooroopna

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All lit up: Ryan Patel and Ishan Prajapati at the Mooroopna New Year’s Eve Festival. Photos: Rechelle Zammit Photo by Rechelle Zammit

For the first time in three years, crowds gathered on Saturday for New Year’s Eve celebrations in Mooroopna.

While a small section of John Gray oval in Mooroopna was cordoned off due to rain the night before, the rest of the oval was packed with picnic blankets and camping chairs in front of the stage.

Ringing in the new year: Sharni Wilson, Jack Brereton, Holly Costa and Kasey Pratt at Mooroopna. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Mooroopna Rotary Club president Barb Joyce was delighted to be back.

“Everyone was happy to be back and they really enjoyed the entertainment,” Ms Joyce said.

Self-defence: Three-year-olds Poppy Baker and Willow Dean hacking and slashing bubbles to bring in the new year. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Proud as punch: Grumpa Ronald Turvey with his two-day-old granddaughter Ameliyah Belmont-Wickliffe. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Together: (from back left) Diane Fernandes, Jyoti Kattikar, Rashmi Ambadgatti, Shweta Soni; (front) Sanmay Ambadgatti, 7, Nicole Fernandes, 9, and Siya Soni, 7. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

“The entertainment was terrific and ... we were blown away by the fireworks display.

“For some people who might have had a tough year it’s nice they can come away feeling refreshed.”

Big thumbs up: Anita and Billy Law, Pop Lammon and (front) Freddie Maclean welcoming in 2023 with a big thumbs up. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Twisting and turning: Michael, Charlotte, 7, and Lily Tuhan, 9, on one of the rides in Mooroopna. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Bubbles and fun: Arwin and Elvie Wright blowing bubbles and getting into mischief on Saturday night. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Despite three years between drinks for the Mooroopna festival, Ms Joyce said “everything ran really well”.

“There’s a lot of work done behind the scenes and I think some of us had forgotten how much work there was,” she said with a laugh.

“We’re really happy to have it back”

Rev it up: The Mooroopna New Year's Eve festival car parade on Saturday night. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Barrel of laughs: Puppets Lizzy and Suzie performing as part of the Mooroopna New Year’s Eve Festival. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Vroom vroom: One of the cars taking part in the Mooroopna New Year’s Eve Festival street parade. Photo by Rechelle Zammit