Susanna Freymark
It isn’t surprising I can’t find a photo of Caroline Fisher – she was a behind the scenes person and wasn’t keen on getting her picture taken.
Caroline died from a heart condition in May last year, aged 62.
To honour her and the work she did for Kyogle’s Giant Pumpkin and Watermelon Festival, the festival art exhibition People’s Choice prize has been named the Caroline Fisher Memorial Perpetual Trophy.
Robert Cullen who is part of the Tidy Towns committee that organises the pumpkin festival said it was Caroline who urged him to get involved.
“She loved the art comp,” Rob said.
Caroline pushed the art exhibition to another level. She got the art exhibition out of the shop window on Summerland Way into the Roxy Gallery, he said.
The opening night of the festival is held in the gallery on Friday, January 17. People can vote for their favourite artwork inspired by the theme of landscapes and the winner of the trophy named after Caroline will be announced on February 18.
The committee of Rob, Anne Reardon, Joan Hayman and Maureen Pederson bring together one of Kyogle’s favourite events. Athol and Gloria McQueen and Kay Skennar are also helping with the festival.
John Leadbeatter and Helen Goebel take care of the pumpkin growing side of things organising the distribution of seeds and trophies for the biggest pumpkins.
Every year, crowds flock to Stratheden Street to see the giant pumpkins weighed.
The Kyogle Car club will have cars on display and Tom Cooper will be running the Golden Gumboot Toss for the first time.
Children’s art will be on display in the old IGA shop windows on Summerland Way.
There are prizes for best dressed child and heritage trains are running over the weekend. Book the train here.
Various pubs and cafes are offering pumpkin and watermelon-themed food.
Most importantly, remember to head upstairs to the Roxy Gallery and vote for your favourite artwork in honour of Caroline Fisher.
Here’s the day’s program for January 18.
7.30am: giant pumpkins and watermelons arrive
8am: stalls start trading
9am: live music
9.15am: Official festival opening with Rob Cullen and Federal MP Kevin Hogan
9.20am: judging of the Home Gardener Competition
10.30am: Young Tacker Parade followed by Line Dancing demonstration KMI
10.45 am–11.30: Presentations by ABC’s Phil Dudman for giant vegetables, Open Pumpkin 250kg+, Novice Pumpkin Less than 250kg, Watermelon and Guess the Weight, Home Gardener, Taste of Kyogle and Business Promotion
Noon: raffle draw
12.15pm: Rock and Roll dancing demonstration in KMI Hall
12.30pm—1.30pm: music
1.45pm: corn cracking and shelling demonstration
2pm: Watermelon Eating Competition
2.30pm: Gum Boot Toss
2.50pm: Thank you speech
3pm–6pm: Free entry to Kyogle Public Swimming Pool with floating inflatable from Kyogle Council
Follow the festival on their Facebook page.