These young Nanango Panthers were on target with their water pistols … perfect for a hot day
Skiye and Ainsley Elder aboard the sinking 3D chalk drawing by Clark Smith (Photo: Clive Lowe Photography)

October 15, 2013

The weather was hot … but fortunately the theme was cool for Nanango’s annual Mardi Gras Festival on Saturday.

The organising committee this year adopted a theme of “a place where the waters gather”, the popular translation of the word “Nanango”.

This meant “water” was reflected in many of the parade entries, in the chalk art which adorned the footpath outside the council building and in the mural competition.

The day started off with a Poets Breakfast in Pioneer Park which was followed by a baby competition.

Grand Champion was Alirah Smallwood, 19 months, from Nanango.

Action in Drayton Street began at 10:30am with the 35th running of the punishing King of the Hill footrace, which loops down Drayton Street and up Hospital Hill and back.

The race began in 1977 and has been run every year since (except one).

The 2013 winner of the crown was Paul Judge, from Kingaroy, who ran the course in 8:42:01 (the record is 7:30.51).

After the presentation of prizes to the successful runners, the crowds began to gather for the always-popular street parade which included everything from a truckload of children armed with water pistols to a 150kg papier mache piggy bank.

“Priscilla”, the mascot of sponsors Heritage Nanango, was fresh from starring in the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers parade.

After the parade, the spotlight turned to Pioneer Park for live music, stalls, the judging of the mural competition, presentation of prizes and a water bomb fight – organised by the local Cadet unit.

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Parade Winners
Water theme – Waterhole Rocks (T Model Ford)
School – Nanango State School
Humour – Panthers Soccer Club
Grand Champion – HMAS Nettie (Nanango Netball Club)

Thelga Wratten and Christine McGregor hitched a ride on the Waterhole Rocks float (Photo: Clive Lowe Photography)

Brittany Gray with Nanango Mardi Gras Princess Katie Paterson 

Kingaroy SES members Trent Wooby and Steven Hudson were keeping the crowd safe
South Burnett Citizen of the Year, Nanango Show Society president Les Schloss officially opened the Mardi Gras; he is pictured with Wendy Zerbst from sponsors Heritage Nanango; and Funfest committee president Cr Barry Green

Former Nanango Shire Councillor Rod Morgan with former Nanango Mayor Reg McCallum

Neil Rose, from Rosie’s Fun 4 All, was compere for the street parade

Council CEO Ken McLoughlin; Jenny Morgan, from Nanango; and Cr Deb Palmer

Marion Campbell, Deputy Mayor Keith Campbell and Louise and Dr David Kenny
Will Flynn, from St Patrick’s Catholic School, was almost floating away in the Mardi Gras parade (Photo: Clive Lowe Photography)
Nanango State School students performed a “flash dance” at the end of the parade

Shevon Smallwood, 7, accepted the Parade trophy on behalf of the Nanango Netball Club

Funfest committee member Steph Davison helped organise the baby show
Taekwon-Do club members Emily Flynn and Becky Miller were practising their moves
(Photo: Clive Lowe Photography)

Cpl Julie Ahrens and L Cpl Shaun Robinson, from 123 ACU Nanango, were busy preparing 750 balloons for the water bomb fight 

Neil Rose provides some logistic support … the water fight was a bit smaller than planned but perfect for a hot day (Photo: Keren Mcsweeney)

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King & Queen Of The Mountain

King Of The Mountain 
1. Paul Judge – 8:42:01
2. Andrew Cross – 8:47:11
3. Ian McKee – 9:10:39

Queen Of The Mountain
1. Katinka Von Elsner-Wellsteed – 9:57:83
2. Kate Coughlan – 10:41:32
3. Annette Mantebello – 11:27:92

Senior Mountaineers
1. Ian McKee – 9:10:39 (Male)
2. Jody Andrews – 11:40:39 (Female)

Prince Of The Mountain
1. Doug Andress – 10:16:24
2. Hamilton Andrews – 10:35:17
3. Liam Greenway – 11:38:19

Princess Of The Mountain
1. Katinka Von Elsner-Wellsteed – 9:57:83

And they’re off … the start of the annual King of the Mountain footrace

Queen (and Princess) of the Mountain Katinka Von Elsner-Wellsteed with official timekeeper (and former race organiser) Rod Morgan

King of the Mountain Paul Judge, from Kingaroy, with Rod Morgan; Paul recorded a time of 8:42.01 

Senior Mountaineer Jody Andrews

Senior Mountainer Ian McKee, from Mt Mee

Rob Andress, who came 3rd in the Senior category, was taking part in his 29th Nanango King of the Mountain 

Prince of the Mountain was Doug Andress, from Nanango, who ran 10:16:24; Doug was the junior runner-up last year 
Katinka Von Elsner-Wellsteed, in yellow, leads off the field at the start of the Queen of the Mountain race

 

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Street Parade

[Photos: Clive Lowe Photography and southburnett.com.au]