MOULAMEIN preschool is once again hosting its famous Moulamein Preschool yabby races and Easter fair, continuing a rich history in the region.
Hannah McCullagh, the president of the Moulamein Preschool committee, said the event is set for Easter Saturday, April 16 from 9am to 1pm near Howard Park and Morago Street in Moulamein and will aim to raise funds to continue to improve the quality of life and education of the preschool children in the region.
The town’s famous yabby races began in the early 1990s, Ms McCullagh explained, when some children on school holidays were bored.
“The butcher at the time, called Mr Walker, told the children to go and catch some yabbies and suggested to race them,” she said.
“The race took place at the front of the butcher shop which is today called The Old Butcher Shop.”
This year’s event will take place not far from the old store and Ms McCullagh said after the yabbies have been raced, the organisers encourage people to release them back into the water.
The Easter Fair will also feature a NSW Fire Brigade service recruitment drive and a car demonstration, a display of vintage cars from the Moulamein Auto Club, with market stalls from community members as well as preschool stalls offering snow cones, cake stalls, show bags, barbecue and lotto jars.
There will also be novelty races like a dash for cash, an egg and spoon and egg throwing race, an Easter raffle, face painting and a jumping castle.
The star of the day, the Easter bunny, along with talented Swan Hill musicians Jess and Herena Munro.
Ms McCullagh said organisers were keen to put on a “family friendly, fun-filled day for everyone from kids to adults”.
“There will be yabby races for six age groups then the winners of each will go into a final race,” she said.
“Then the yabby race champion will win a unique trophy – it’s very Aussie.”
Ms McCullagh said the members of the local men’s shed are to thank for catching the yabbies – with 250 the goal for the coming Easter.
They then number the yabbies and place them in containers with water for each entrant.
Those entering must also sign a contract to not harm the yabby, and they can either surrender the yabby or take them home post event.
Attendees can cut down the cost from the original $10 to $5 if they supply their own yabby which people have done in the past.
The goal of this smorgasbord of activities is to open a day care centre in Moulamein, with the preschool currently serving 13 little ones, Monday to Wednesday from 9am to 3pm.
“We also want to raise more funds to create more educational opportunities for the children, help fund equipment and educational resources for the preschool children to interact with,” Ms McCullagh said.
She said the not-for-profit preschool simply wants to offer “the best education and quality of care for our preschool children”.
Anyone interested in sponsoring the event, running a stall or volunteering on the date can contact Ms McCullagh on 0472 974 724.
More information is available about the event, through the Facebook Moulamein Preschool Yabby Races and Easter Fair 2022 event page.
