Dozens of refugee families from the city were among those enjoying the fun of Kyneton’s annual Daffodil Festival parade and fair.
The visitors, many of them children and parents from Myanmar who now live in the Pakenham to Springvale area, were guests of the Macedon Ranges Rural Australians for Refugees.
They were treated to a barbecue lunch prepared by the RAR sub-group, which promotes connections between refugees and the local Macedon Ranges community. Halal meats were generously donated by Hardwicks of Kyneton.
“Our fundraising has enabled us to financially support the Springvale Friends of Refugees for many years now, but this event was about fun not funds,” said MRRAR chairperson Jean Ker Walsh.
“The kids especially seemed to have a good time. They are a terrific group. We have enjoyed opportunities to visit them and were keen to return the hospitality.
“Karen Pierce and her group put it in a concerted effort to make it a special day for everyone. We were delighted that so many wanted to make the day trip. And we hear they are keen to come back next year.”
The visitors also brought delicious foods to make it an abundant lunch in the Botanic Gardens – which was shared spontaneously with a group of Chinese visitors also enjoying the gardens and festival day out in Kyneton.
