By Tanya Steele
Kalorama Chestnut Festival goers attended in record numbers this year as the humble community event hit its 40th anniversary running.
Shortly after all the fun, the volunteers had to deal with the disappointing and alleged burglary of a generator and some tools from the Kalorama Memorial Reserve overnight on Sunday 4 May.
“Overnight, thieves broke into the pavilion at Kalorama Memorial Reserve and stole tools, including a generator that belongs to our wonderful festival coordinator and kinder educator, Victoria,” read a social media post by the festival Facebook page.
Involved since his children were in kindergarten, current Mount Dandenong Principal Jake Laurie and Olinda local said the alleged burglary has been reported to police.
“Please keep your eyes out on resale platforms for this generator. If you have any information about this theft, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or you can make a report online https://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au/,” said the social media post.
Focusing on the positive, Mr Laurie said the festival this year was phenomenal, despite the burglary and said they raised over 30,000 dollars on the day.
“I feel like every year the festival grows a little bit. We were blessed with spectacular weather, and we had our community there who worked their socks off,” he said.
Picking chestnuts for weeks before the actual day, volunteers on the Chestnut Festival committee, staff and parents at the school brought the popular hills event to fruition and Mr Laurie said they picked around 700 kilograms of chestnuts this year.
“It’s amazing,” he said.
The week before the festival kicks off community gathers for ‘Snipping night’ and the nuts are scored with a knife to ensure they don’t explode when roasted, which Mr Laurie said is a ‘big job’.
“We all get into the school hall, get some music on and make that happen,” he said.
“I do love snipping night and talking with the community.”
The event provides vital fundraising opportunities for the Mount Dandenong Preschool and Mount Dandenong Primary School, but also comes out on top for creating beautiful memories for the students as well.
Mr Laurie said the kids rank the festival as their favourite day of the year.
“The kids help with the picking, over the school holidays and ANZAC Day – they are very involved,” he said.
Hitting its 40th Anniversary, Mr Laurie said the chestnut festival began as a very small event in front of the old pre-school’s car park and later moved to the Kalorama oval.
“It’s grown and grown – generations of families have been involved in it,” he said.
“It’s beautiful.”
An event that binds the local community together, the festival offers art and performance opportunities as well and Mr Laurie said some former students popped up to put on a show.
The Mountain Howlers, Almost June and singer-songwriter Bridget McCluskey, along with his own band Milk Bar Run were all featured on the day.
Despite the disappointing final note, the overall weekend was amazing, and Mr Laurie said people have been involved in the event for decades and absolutely love it.
“The kids run around in packs, with parents on the stalls – the kids have the time of their lives,” he said.
If any public have any information about the alleged stolen goods, please contact Crimestoppers on on 1800 333 000.
