December 1, 2015
The developer of Blackbutt’s new supermarket would like to have it open and operating by June or July next year, Mayor Wayne Kratzmann told 70 guests who attended the official launch of the Blackbutt Christmas Carnival on Monday night.
So if everything went to plan, he expected the Blackbutt Memorial Hall would be shifted to its new home near Nukku Nook in the first quarter of 2016.
And as soon as the block was clear, construction of the new supermarket would begin almost immediately.
Work on remedying Blackbutt’s long-standing drainage problems was also proceeding to schedule, and he hoped the roadworks needed to fix them weren’t causing residents too much inconvenience.
The Mayor’s announcements were greeted by a round of applause and several spirited cheers from the audience.
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Mayor Kratzmann had been invited to the Memorial Hall in Coulson Street to officially launch the week-long Christmas Carnival with a Wine, Cheese and Art Night.
The Mayor paid tribute to the Blackbutt-Benarkin Lions Club, who have organised the now-traditional festive season event since its inception 15 years ago.
He said he recognised Lions Club members and other volunteers who pitch in to make the Carnival such a success had a very busy week’s work ahead of them.
He also thanked the many other groups and businesses who had contributed to the launch night.
They included the Butt Art Gallery, former Friends of Cultcha icons Nick and Laraine Aniftos, local artists and the Blackbutt Camera Club, along with the Bunya Nut Cafe – who supplied the night’s catering – and Kingsley Grove Estate, who supplied the wine tastings.
Afterwards, guests mingled to take in the art displays that lined the Hall’s walls; inspect several tables of craftwork produced by local artisans; or scrutinise racks of photographs from the recent region-wide Cliff Krebbs Memorial Interclub Print Competition, where the Blackbutt Camera Club walked away as this year’s top point-scorers.
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The next major event for the Christmas Carnival will occur on Thursday when the Blackbutt-Benarkin Lions host a free Over 60s Christmas Lunch at the Memorial Hall.
This Christmas Festival tradition provides a completely free Christmas lunch for Blackbutt’s senior citizens, along with multi-draw raffles and live entertainment, which this year will be provided by Blackbutt State School students.
Lions Club President Janice Elliss said she wasn’t sure whether the lunch was booked out yet, but added the club “would always make room for more” if needed.
Bookings for the Over 60s Lunch can be made by phoning Linda on 0417-791-518.
On Friday, the Memorial Hall will be turned over to the district’s arts and craft workers for the first day of a two-day Arts & Crafts Fair, which always attracts bargain hunters in search of unusual and unique Christmas gifts.
The Fair will run from 8:30am to 9:00pm on Friday; and again from 8:30am to 12:00 noon on Saturday. Admission is free and morning teas, afternoon teas, lunch and Friday evening nibbles will be catered by the Anglican Ladies.
On Saturday, the Carnival will kick off at 8:30am in Les Muller Park with the Christmas Celebrity Hour, which will feature a free sausage sizzle, a Mystery Celebrity Citizen and entertainment.
And in the evening, Blackbutt will celebrate foods from all nations with the licensed Outdoor Food Fiesta, which will kick into gear at the Blackbutt Showgrounds at 6:00pm and run right through to 10:00pm.
The Carnival will then conclude at the Memorial Hall at 2:00pm on Sunday with a gold coin donation Christmas Concert.
The Blackbutt Singers and guest artists will be providing the entertainment, and there’ll be a raffle as well.
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