By Emma Xerri
No one is safe from the unpredictability of Victorian weather, and unfortunately for Tooradin and Narre Warren North locals, unanticipated extreme weather forecasts meant there was no choice but to announce last minute cancellations for their beloved Christmas Carols.
“We’re obviously not happy about having to cancel the event, but it is what it is. The weather forecast was so bad that we had no choice,” said Ross Wilkie of the Tooradin Foreshore Committee of Management.
“We’ve always hosted this event as an opportunity for the Tooradin and surrounding communities to get together prior to Christmas, so that’s what we’ll be missing out on.
“But there has been general acceptance from the community. Many locals were here during the day and they saw what was going on, so we haven’t had any negative feedback.”
Tooradin’s Christmas on the Foreshore was set to take place last Friday 8 December, with a turnout expected to surpass 3000, alongside an array of festivities on offer, including food trucks, live entertainment, free face painting and a visit from Santa himself.
“Ours was a big event, so it was two or three hours on the phone to even cancel it,” Mr Wilkie added.
“It’s a lot of work for no result, but that’s unfortunately the way it is living in Victoria where the weather is famous for being unpredictable.
“As it turned out, there was actually good weather on Friday night, but setting up would have been impossible and we had to cancel the day prior, we couldn’t wait until the day of.”
Mr Wilkie’s disappointment was shared by those involved in the Narre Warren North Community Carols, after the event scheduled for the 9th was cancelled for the first time in its 32 year history due to safety concerns evoked by the weather forecast.
Alyssa Mastromanno, who was among those set to perform on the night, was particularly disappointed about missing out on what would have been her first carols.
“It was my first time performing at the Christmas carols, so it was going to be an opportunity to get my name out there and share who I am. Christmas time, especially, is such a great time to share your artistry and be generous with an audience,” Ms Mastrommano said.
“I was only asked to come on board and lead the band a week out from the event, so it was at the very last minute that I had to learn the carols and rehearse with the band.
“There’s a lot of hard work that goes on behind the scenes at these big events that you don’t see on the day. There’s a lot of rehearsing and a lot of learning that goes on in your own time that you need to make time for, especially given I was doing six songs and some group numbers.
“And I know the band had been rehearsing for weeks before I joined them. There were people I was rehearsing with in the band and the choir who have been doing these carols for 15 and 20 years simply because they want to share with their community at a time that is for sharing. So it’s really disappointing when things like this fall through due to the Melbourne weather.
“However, I am lucky to be performing on Christmas Eve at Carols by Twilight, so it will be great to see everyone there and just have a lovely night of carolling.”
