Before seeking donations from members and guests, JacFest Director Kenn Williams provided a summary of the day, while Chris Whelan and Ray Philp provided some stats. Kenn reminded members and guests this was the 19th anniversary of JacFest and that we need to make a special effort to recognise the 20th anniversary next year.
Kenn seen here flanked by President Barry, and Rotarian Chris Caithness, and George Mavros (who was president when the first JacFest was held in 2000). And seated is one of the founding members of JacFest, retired Rotarian Bob Hollingsworth (with his wife), who first recommended Applecross Rotary hold an annual community festival, back in 1999.
The summary of the summary? Much better than in recent years in every regard, and the weather was superb. The stallholders were happy, the entertainment was great, and we helped create 21 pages of advertising in the local paper, as well as great coverage on radio and TV.
The money collected through the spinners was a record, we ran out of maps by 1.00pm and the Primary School car park was full by 9.45am. This caused a few grumbles and featured in the 1% negative comments from the more than 200 people who provided formal feedback.
We logged nearly 800 hours of volunteer service by 130+ volunteers, with 410 hours provided by Applecross Rotary members and friends. Waylen Bay Sea Scouts logged 165 hours. Applecross Senior High School students and parents, Rotary E-Club and Attadale Rotary also put in significant hours helping make this year’s Rotary Jacaranda Festival the best in recent memory.
And so to Happy Dollars, and Chris Whelan expressed his happiness that when the shopping cart he was using to take all the spinners’ coins (minus a donated watch battery) to the bank, hit a rut in the footpath and capsised, none of the coin bags ruptured.
Visiting Rotarian Roger Painter celebrated 42 years of marriage, while Ron Bower celebrated Andrew’s marriage on Sunday. MC Chris Dawson thought members who are Wespac customers should be happy their CEO quit this morning with only a $2.7m severance.