The best of Upper Beac

By Melissa Meehan
THE folk of Upper Beaconsfield came together on Saturday to celebrate Community Week with market stalls, entertainment and a charity fun run.
The festival was officially opened by MP Tammy Lobato who fired the starting gun for the 2010 Charity Fun Run, which covers 6km of some of the most beautiful but challenging terrain over the undulating hills.
The fun run set a new attendance record, with 101 runners entering the event.
Cardinia Shire Council mayor Graeme Legge sponsored the trophies for the event, and presented the awards to the winners in each category.
Winners included U12s Frazer McGill, Kathleen Hanson, 12-16s Rennie Lewis (second overall), Bridget Hanson, 17-29s Iseyas Hailu (first overall), Juliette Haddow, 30-39s Rupert van Donger, Leoniz Anziri (first woman to finish), 40-49s Matt McArthur, Meegan Rann, 50+ Andrew Edwards and Sharon Wyatt.
The Upper Beaconsfield Citizen of the Year was awarded to Jennie Vaughan, a lifetime resident who served a term as mayor under the old council boundaries and has just finished a term as president of the Upper Beaconsfield Association.
Jennie has been a long-time supporter of all things Upper Beaconsfield.
Entertainment included a giant slide, the popular rock climbing wall, a new favourite in the bungy trampoline and Sponge Bob activity centre – all were enjoyed by a wide variety of ages.
Music entertained the crowds from the Berwick Secondary College musicians and local talent of Daniel Cooper with Rick and the Legends also supporting the day with cover songs and lots of fun.
An art and photographic show was run at the community centre hall and an animal nursery in Halford Street gave the little members of the community a chance to cuddle their favorite animal.
Market stalls represented a variety of local community groups and interesting offerings along with cakes and fairy floss were consumed throughout the day.
The CFA sausage sizzle was well supported as usual and a favourite with the crowd so close to the anniversary of Black Saturday.
The Upper Beaconsfield Village Festival was a fantastic way to celebrate the close-knit community and would not be possible without the support of council, the UBA and the local businesses with their generous donations.
The festival was funded through a grant from the Cardinia Shire Council, and the Upper Beaconsfield Association.