Maldon in Winter Festival started last Friday with a full moon, a rush of steam and sparks flying from the enormous bonfire hosted by the Maldon Lions Club.

At 6pm sharp, the heritage Victorian Goldfields Railway steam train pulled into Maldon station and excited passengers spilled out onto the platform. Amongst them were some costumed ladies; not time-travellers, but performers from the Bliss Bombs Burlesque show taking place on the second weekend of the festival.

With help from locals, including Scott managing traffic with the stop sign, train passengers walked across the hill, through the Maldon Vintage and Machinery Museum and out towards the fire. They could be heard gasping and saying “ooh, ahh” as they emerged under the fairy lights and into the glow of the flames.

“It’s very sparky!” Georgie from Castlemaine exclaimed, enjoying a hot drink with her sister, Luella.

With businesses and community coming together to create this event, guided by Maldon Inc, there were lots of options for food, beverages and entertainment.  

“We’re all pitching in tonight from all around the town,” said Nick, from Maldon Golf Club, while turning sausages with a group of helpers including Julie, Lynn and Amanda.

Attendees enjoyed live music, fire twirling, marshmallow melting and the opportunity to write down some thoughts, habits or memories to burn in a symbolic ‘letting go’ ceremony.

Barry Robinson, president of Maldon Inc., was thrilled with the turnout and the community effort. “We want this to be the start of something,” he said, describing his dream for the bonfire to remain a very special annual event. “There’s no reason it can’t get bigger and bigger.”

There was one aspect of the event that was not managed by the organisers: the moon. The bonfire was planned to coincide with the winter solstice, but a full moon on the same night only happens every 20 years. It was an auspicious start to the festival and the mood on the night was positive indeed. Jo Starkie, dancing by firelight, gave a wonderful of review of her experience: “It’s delightful, it’s so cosy, it’s spirited and I’m so glad I came!”  

See all the pictures in the issue.

This article appeared in the  Tarrangower Times, 28 June 2024.