After the morning fog cleared away, the skies were clear on Saturday 21 June for the Maldon in Winter Bonfire which was even bigger and brighter than last year in every way.

A packed train brought hundreds of visitors — many of them families with children — to excitedly walk across from the railway station and through to the back of the Machinery Museum. Many others arrived on foot or in cars from nearby. The main fire was a feature to behold, while the smaller fire pits were perfect for keeping the chill away from fingertips and noses. There was a fantastic dinner available, including Golf Club sausages and soup and food van favourites. Music from a drumming ensemble and bands filled the air into the night.

“Once again I was reminded of the simpler times. The winter solstice bonfire was a return to pure fun,” said TT [Tarrangower Times] contributor Ian Riley.

“I was the guest of Willa and Violet, my six and seven year old granddaughters, who once again took me back to the basics of roasting marshmallows and chucking stuff into the fire.”

Organiser Renee Thompson was keen to spread the credit for all the hard work that went into making the event happen.

“We would sincerely like to thank all those involved in making this event the magical night it was,” she said. “A huge thank you must go to the amazing volunteers of the Maldon Vintage Machinery & Museum, for all the work they put into this event. Without them it wouldn’t have happened.” She listed numerous contributors and collaborators: Victorian Goldfields Railway, the entertainers including MC James and the catering crews from Maldon Golf Club, The Webbs, Miss Piggy and MVMM. Renee also wanted to acknowledge and highlight the work of the Lang family who helped build the fire into the biggest yet at this site. “What an effort and what a fabulous community we have in Maldon.”

See all the pictures from the event in the issue.
This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 27 June 2025.