By Bridget Brady
Tooradin’s back in the fireworks business …
Committee of Management are rejoicing they will be allowed to have fireworks at Tooradin’s
Christmas event tomorrow night. 39915 Picture: Stewart Chambers
TOORADIN residents are looking forward to setting Christmas off with a bang tomorrow night, after some last-minute manoeuvres saved their foreshore fireworks.
Members of the Tooradin Foreshore Committee of Management are likely to be allowed to have their usual fireworks display at the end of their 11th annual Christmas event tomorrow night.
When the News went to print, Casey Council was waiting to receive the final documentation by the event organisers for the fireworks display.
The committee joined other community groups that were up in arms in October when Casey Council announced a blanket ban on all fireworks displays in the municipality, due to the threat of fire in the bushfire season.
But Casey councillor Wayne Smith pushed for each application to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
The fireworks display at Tooradin is one of the safest in Casey because it is carried out over water, and is the committee’s major event for the year. Member of the committee of management Bill Friend said “hell would have to freeze over” before a fire started at the Tooradin event.
Mr Friend said the fireworks were vital for the event, and without them it was possible the event would cease, which would affect the committee’s ability to care for the foreshore.
“When it was made known that fireworks were being banned we already had people telling us is it wasn’t worthwhile sponsoring it because the numbers wouldn’t be there,” Mr Friend said.
“The fireworks are what brings people and without them it makes it very difficult to attract the crowds.”
Cr Smith said it made sense that fireworks were allowed at the Tooradin event.
“Their argument was the fire brigade is there every year to monitor the fire works and if they’ve got no problem with it then that’s the way it should be,” Cr Smith said.
Mr Friend said he wanted to thank the many local businesses that offered their vital support and sponsorship of the event this year.
Christmas on the Foreshore will be held from 6.30pm tomorrow night and will include entertainment from local artist Chris Newman, Tooradin Primary School and local church choirs, Princess Candy and a magician show.
Other highlights will include a parachute display and Santa. Families are welcome to bring their own picnics.
