By DAVID ALLEGRETTI
AS THE days get shorter and the cold, gloomy autumn air becomes increasingly frosty, one could almost be forgiven for feeling rather blue.
But while the cold embrace of winter approaches, a ray of hope shimmers in the distance.
Sunday 4 May is World Laughter Day, an initiative which aims to brighten the spirits while at the same time build up worldwide awareness of peace and friendship through the simple act of laughter.
This year’s celebration will be held from 11am to noon in Melbourne’s CBD at Federation Square’s main stage by the Laughter Clubs of Victoria.
There is no need to book for the free event, anyone can turn up to look for a group of people laughing and join in on the fun.
The Ferntree Gully Laughter Club will be there joining in on the proceedings.
Visitors can also catch them for lunch at the Duke of Wellington Hotel from 1pm to continue the day’s celebrations.
The local club is part of a whole network of affiliated laughter clubs that are located all around the state and all will be participating in the day’s festivities.
“Laughter is a powerful tool to accentuate positivity, create happiness, and infuse optimism to bring about hope and propensity for life and living, a much needed resource for surmounting problems of the 21st century and in creating world peace,” said Mahes Karuppiah-Quillen, chair of the World Laughter Day committee on the Laughter Clubs Victoria’s website.
The organisation hopes to attract large crowds from all parts of Victoria in an attempt to promote a message of harmony and global peaceful co-existence.
The first Sunday of May will see thousands of people from all around the world gather simultaneously to celebrate the good cause.
The Ferntree Gully Laughter Club meets at 10.30am on the second, fourth and fifth Sundays of the month behind the Ferntree Gully Library at 1010 Burwood Highway, Ferntree Gully.
