22 March 2016 – An estimated 5,000 visitors to last weekend’s Riverwood Autumn Fair festival enjoyed a fantastic day of free non-stop entertainment and activities in timely autumn weather conditions.
The annual festival is a free celebration of community and aims to enhance community spirit in the local area, as well as being an important fundraiser for programs that benefit the community as a whole.
With the festival now re-located to the spectacular Riverwood Wetlands in Salt Pan Reserve four years ago, it continues to grow in popularity with over 100 community and market stalls this year offering a wide range of arts and crafts, gifts, delicious multicultural food and light refreshments.
The day got underway with performances by the newly-formed Riverwood Community Choir, Chinese and Vietnamese dance groups, the Riverwood Air League and the Riverwood Public School choir.
Riverwood Community Centre CEO, Pauline Gallagher welcomed the special guests, including Cr Brian Robson, mayor of Canterbury, Cr Karl Saleh, Canterbury deputy mayor, Tony Burke federal member for Watson and Jihad Dib, state member for Lakemba.
The festival received strong support from the local business sector again this year with many donating their services and prizes for the raffles.
Leading Australian property and investment company, PAYCE, has supported the Autumn Fair for the past five years and this year also donated the main raffle prizes of two Samsung Galaxy tablets.
PAYCE Managing Director, Brian Boyd said it was a pleasure to be associated with such a popular and well-organised community event.
“PAYCE has been involved with the Riverwood community now for over five years through the Washington Park residential project and our associations with numerous local community and charity groups and schools,” he said.
“It has been a wonderful experience so see how successful and enjoyable these types of events can be when everyone gets involved. The residents of Canterbury, and especially Riverwood, can be very proud of what they have achieved within their community in recent years by working together.
“The Autumn Fair a great example of community togetherness and sharing that embraces the many cultures and the various age groups and interests.” Mr Boyd said.
