SEEKING a life among open land, Sam Musso and his family moved to Mernda 18 months ago from Mill Park. While enjoying the open spaces, he identified several issues facing local residents.
He found a shortage of activities for young people; a need for infrastructure such as a sports and recreation centre and the rail line being extended to Mernda; and a more vibrant community life. This last concern that was the catalyst for the coming Mernda Community Fair.
Musso (pictured far right with daughter Victoria) says the inaugural fair was organised by Mernda and District Residents’ Association (MADRA) as a means of fostering community spirit and a way of promoting local community groups and small business. “This has been identified as something we’d like to do annually, something that MADRA can do to get the community to familiarise themselves with the services in the community, with local business and with each other,” he says.
Sporting groups, schools, CFA, and Neighbourhood Watch will be represented at the fair, while the local kindergarten will hold an arts and crafts market.
On the entertainment front, there will be line dancing and taekwondo demonstrations, plus a jumping castle, reptiles and a petting zoo, balloon animals, face painting and food stalls. Music will be played by young local bands.
The fair will be held at the Mernda Community Activity Centre and neighbouring village green. The largest park in the area, Buttercross Park, will be officially opened during the fair by Whittlesea mayor Stevan Kozmevski. The fair has been made possible through a community grant provided by the City of Whittlesea and corporate sponsorships. “This is a not-for-profit thing for us, in fact we’re not even going to break even but we hope it’s the type of thing that the community will appreciate,” Musso says. “If we can do something that will help local groups and businesses, hopefully they’ll also support MADRA.”
MADRA was established in the mid-noughties to promote Mernda and the surrounding area, support the development of infrastructure and amenities and give residents a united voice.
The Whittlesea Neighbourhood Watch was reincarnated as a direct result of MADRA’s efforts.
Visit the fair on June 24, noon–4 pm, at the Mernda Community Activity Centre, 70 Mernda Village Drive, Mernda.
