Karuah Timber and Oyster Festival returns after three-year hiatus Myall Coast Myall Coast - popup ad Myall Coast News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - October 24, 2023 Competitive woodchoppers hacked away in front of large crowds on Longworth Park. KARUAH’S Timber and Oyster Festival made a valiant comeback on Saturday, 21 October, after a long hiatus brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns, and La Nina’s ultra-wet weather. Parking was crowded as the throng filled to Longworth Park, on Karuah’s scenic riverfront, enjoying stalls with 30 local business’ food, crafts, clothes, jewellery and art, and Tea Gardens Lions Club’s famous BBQ. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au The wood chop events, featuring two NSW Championship events, and a prize money pool over $700 for the day, saw the wood chips blizzard about as competitors racked up valuable points in the state’s competitions, leaving trailer-loads of valuable firewood for next winter’s burners. The Karuah Motor Yacht Club’s kids fishing competition, held on the adjacent jetty, gave out many more prizes, including two rod-and-reel combinations and a fishing kayak. A steady and benevolent breeze blew in from Port Stephens, cooling everyone down and assisting (somewhat) with the flies, while clear skies above meant no washout this year. The Karuah Social Travellers ran the licenced area, managed by Pam Cembala, who was pleased to see the crowd, raising money “to keep it affordable for oldies to go away once a year on a trip”. Karuah RSL, the major sponsor of the event, operated in top gear all day and night, as the Bridgeview Restaurant served up its award-winning Asian food, the best available for many miles around. “Karuah RSL is always happy to support events such as these, it is a fantastic day,” Chris Fraser, Karuah RSL’s General Manager told NOTA. Head Organiser Brett Sweetnam, President of the Karuah Timber and Oyster Festival Committee Inc., said, “We just wanted to run the Festival again, get it going after three years of nothing – COVID and washout – 2019 was the last one.” Many local festivals have seen a comeback in 2023, such as Motorfest at Hawks Nest, and it is fantastic to see October becoming festival time in the Myall Coast, as the Karuah Festival leads into the Pindimar Markets on Saturday 28. By Thomas O’KEEFE Local business stalls enjoyed plenty of foot traffic under the clear, blue sky. Woodchoppers made splinters out of their logs, competing in state-level events. The family-friendly atmosphere will be further enhanced into next year.
