Seadays Festival fun and learning in Port Welshpool

THE Old Ferry Terminal in Port Welshpool was a bustling hub of activity during the weekend’s Seadays Festival, with children thrilled to meet local aquatic creatures and animals from further afield.

Adults too were intrigued by the animals on display, while also learning about Agnes Falls, the progress of wind energy generation in the region, and picking up tips from Welshpool Garden Club members.

Kids were taught a lesson in patience during fishing clinics.

Melbourne’s Elsie Hill was brought along to Sea Days during a family camping trip to Walkerville and the enthusiastic youngster was fascinated by animals such as a sea star, often referred to as a starfish.

She didn’t mind one bit when squirted by a baby scallop, volunteer Julianne Stuart assuring her that no damage had been done to her impressive face painting design although she hadn’t expressed any concern.

Another volunteer, Ivan Lee, showed this scribe a snapping shrimp, one claw much larger than the other, and held a small moon snail alongside its much larger egg sac.

Elsie also met Harriet, a stunning Golden Huntsman from the north of Australia, one of the array of animals brought to Seadays by Black Snake Productions based in the Yarra Valley’s Warburton.

Young Ayla Facey, on a caravan trip from Sydney, was introduced to Stimson’s Python ‘Simon’, among the smallest pythons in the world and seemingly at ease with all the attention.

A masked owl, lizards, frogs and a wallaby were among the menagerie on show.

Port Welshpool Coast Guard representatives Malcolm Ellis and Mark Leeworthy were on hand at the festival to provide information on legal fish sizes, bag limits, boating safety and marine radio communications.

Myli Libraries encouraged children to show their creative flair rock painting, while letting them know about the library resources and holiday programs.

Recently appointed Friends of Agnes Falls president Shannon Roelink and secretary Kathy Whelan were delighted to share information with visitors about the spectacular attraction that has benefited from recent prolific rain.

“We’re here to support Parks Victoria and maintain our local treasure,” Shannon said, adding that she is keen to get more young people involved.

Kathy said that while some visitors shared their stories of visits to Agnes Falls, others were unaware of its existence and were offered maps and park notes.

Seadays attendees heard that an announcement is expected soon on which companies will be able to move forward with wind energy projects, also learning about matters such as maintenance and the expected lifespan of relevant infrastructure.

Fish Creek’s Brylie and Heidi Hamilton were among the young brigade learning to fish, local coast guard Robin Street an organiser of the event and volunteer preparing bait and offering advice when required.

“They love it, especially if they can catch a fish, and they get to take a rod home,” Robin said.

While a couple of fish were caught during Saturday’s morning session, an easterly wind combined with the presence of a fishing trawler with its engine running, and a low tide provided a multitude of excuses for any participants unable to snare a catch in the afternoon.

Brylie and Heidi had fished a couple of times previously but picked up new tips such as keeping a finger on the line to feel if any fish are nibbling the bait, with the girls also slowly developing their patience.

Seaday’s Festival offers a perfect blend of fun and learning.