On one of those recent unseasonably warm July days, residents and friends gathered for the official opening of the spectacular ‘Wirawira Walkway’ – the connecting footbridge that spans the watercourse running through the Village.  To mark the occasion, two rare white Jacaranda trees were planted by the current Presidents of the Residents Association and Residents Committee. The white Jacarandas were donated as seedlings to the Village by a generous Resident and have been nurtured in pots to their current standing of approximately 8ft by the gardening team for the past 3 years. With continued loving care these beautiful trees should bloom gorgeous white flowers each spring.

Following the tree planting, official opening formalities included words of sentiment from General Manager, Andrew Carins and Director, Graham Leishman.  Graham gave all present an interesting insight into the history of the land on which the Village was built having purchased that particular parcel in the early 1980’s with a view to incorporating the watercourse area as a central feature of a possible retirement village development.

The Wirawira Walkway (use as a caption – Wirawira is an indigenous term meaning place where there is water and was the preferred name chosen from several options by residents) was declared open when long term resident Jan Melit cut the ribbon and unveiled the plaque. Residents and guests then proceeded to cross the newly opened walkway bridge enjoying the tranquil shady surrounds.  Well, that was until the unexpected appearance of the Troll!  This followed the story of the legend of the Renaissance troll and the walkway in the opening addresses by the Presidents of the Residents Association and Residents Committee.

The irresistible aroma of BBQ lunch lured residents and visitors to the Leisure Centre terrace for lunch where they joined another large crowd to watch the Dick Bedford Grand Final match playing out on the village croquet centre court.  

And still this wasn’t the end of the day’s excitement and celebrations!

Residents and their visitors stayed on for a free afternoon concert, dancing and singing along with talented members of the Vinyl Frenzy band. Playing all the hits from Linda Ronstadt to Roy Orbison, The Beatles, Everly Brothers, The Supremes and more, the crowd was thoroughly entertained and left with a song in their heart and some more wear on their dancing shoes.