Nagambie NOW Festival

This coming weekend will be the 16th consecutive Nagambie On Water Festival.

A community run Water festival held in the heart of Nagambie. This year includes 7 individual events that cater for a day of family fun on and near the lake Nagambie foreshore.

• Go Nagambie Open Water Swim- offering 2 swim lengths 1.1km and 600mtr

• Go Adventure Stay and Play - amusements for all ages on land and on water, the Platinum ticket includes access to the newly opened Wacky Water Play Inflatable park

• Tahbilk: Great Grape Stomp - stomp your way to the largest volume of liquid for some great prizes

• Costa Community Canoe Challenge - a canoe relay open to all ages including free entry

• Kelvingrove Floating Golf Shootout - with a $5000 hole in one prize on offer

• Elloura Colour Splash - Walk, run or skip along a 2 km foreshore route whilst being cascaded in colour

• Stars Downunder Ski and Stunt show - the finale to the festivals event card

With the weather predicted to be in the mid 30's it is a perfect day to participate in a water festival. The festival offers on land and on water events for all age groups. Starting from 10am through to 6:30pm. Pack the sunscreen and some bathers and be ready for a fun filled day for all the family. More information about the program and times can be found at www.gonagambie.com.au/now

Great success of the first of the four anniversary events of the Nagambie Mechanics Institute (1873-2023)

The Nagambie Mechanics Institute (NMI) throughout 2023 is celebrating 150 years of service to the Nagambie and surrounding communities.

The NMI committee decided to hold 4 events during the year to celebrate this milestone. The first event was the Trivia night which was an outstanding success. Those who attended were treated to a very funny and enjoyable evening who fell under the spell of quiz master Ian Moore. The event was to raise funds for a new kitchen of the Mechanics Hall. Our expectations were reasonably high but who would have thought that we would have raised $18,140.

AS the President of the NMI and I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank all the individuals and businesses which donated cash, services, vouchers and items for the trivia night. Without your generosity the event would not have happened and would not have been as successful. 141 participants attended the evening; you greatly contributed to the success of this very enjoyable evening. I thank you.

This type of event does not happen without a huge effort from the organising committee. Cathy Lawrence,

Debbie Ringin, Bernie & Geoff Boadle and Sissy Hoskin, (with the technical support of Monique and Kimberley Ringin) thank you so much for your time, dedication and commitment to putting this evening together and to setting high standards in every single way.

The Nagambie Mechanics Institute is owned by the community. On the 4th February 2023, we held a fabulous event for the community that was supported by the community. It was just fantastic. This commitment echoes the spirit of our local communities.

Please keep on supporting the sponsors who supported us and take the time to say thank you. Our aim is to raise $100,000 for the new kitchen of the Mechanics Institute. If you would like to contribute, to support and donate to the cause, please contact me on 0488 770 733 .

We are looking forward to seeing at the next Nagambie Mechanics Institute SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY EVENT on April 29th ….SAVE THE DATE

Thank you and warm regards.

Hugh Lawrence NMI President 2023

A meeting place for NDIS participants and their careers

After a summer break, the Community House with its activities and groups are back in full swing. With close to twenty different groups covering a wide range of interests and activities, the House aims at offering something for everyone. In line with the ambition of being welcoming and inclusive, coordinator Anna Close is very excited to introduce a new group which will make the NLCH its home: Nagambie Connections and Networking.

'Nagambie CAN' is open to NDIS clients and their support workers and the Community Voice has got the details on this wonderful, new initiative.

“The person behind the initiative is Mandy Karadimos,” Anna Close starts explaining. “Last year she contacted the Community House, wondering if we would be interested in working together. Mandy was looking for a meeting place where NDIS participants and their workers could get together and do different activities, share a cup of coffee, ask questions and just have fun together. Our committee immediately jumped at the opportunity of providing a space for them and we are very happy they will be joining us in 2023.”

The group has already had their first, soft opening with grassroots discussion and meals at the House. To The Voice, Mandy Karadimos shares her thoughts on what she hopes can become a a safe meeting place for participants and families to socialise and build formal and informal networks: “We want to create a space where participants who access NDIS can come with their support worker to meet others, make social connections, and take part in activities of their choice. Our ambition is for the group to follow a cooperative approach” - Mandy continues explaining - “where all members have a say and the direction is driven by the needs of its members." Mandy finishes up by stating that people are welcome to bring their own activities with their workers or join in with others. Tuesdays at the Community House will provide a space where speakers are invited to engage with workers, participants and families. A space to work on skill based activities, preparing for work or independent