Weerama will be on again this year … but a lot smaller than before.
The festival has been held in Wyndham for almost four decades, but will be scaled back this year because of a lack of funds.
It normally operates on a budget of more than $100,000, but has only about $30,000 to stage what was a three-day extravaganza last year, when events were held across Werribee, Wyndham Vale and Truganina.
This year will be a one-day affair on Watton Street in Werribee, but festival president Marcel Mahfoud said the community can still look forward to an event that will be true to tradition, despite the scale-back.
“There is a lot that will be the same as always,” Mr Mahfoud said.
“The community stalls, the rides, and of course, the parade. The parade will still be the main focus, as well as market stalls and entertainment.
“Community groups will be organising activities – it truly will be a community festival”.
But one popular feature of the event that won’t be returning will be the fireworks. Mr Mahfoud said he acknowledged people might be upset about this, but this year’s festival is scheduled for a Sunday – with school the next day.
Mr Mahfoud said the festival committee had already began planning for the 2018 festival to ensure it comes back up to normal standards.
“(Next year) is the festival’s 40-year anniversary, so we’ve already started applying for grants to ensure it’s a big event again for that milestone,” he said.
“It will definitely be back.”
The Weerama festival did not run in 2015 after the council refused money to fix governance issues, including administration and bookkeeping.
The organising committee is still seeking sponsorship for this year’s event.
Contact Marcel Mahfoud: 0400 410 041
