And it seems the craze is spreading throughout the region.
In Hay the well-named HUGS (Hay Ukulele Group) made the front page of this week’s Riverina Grazier as they prepare to join forces for a local festival with their northern neighbours from the Murrumbidgee Ukulele Group.
And our sister paper, the Southern Riverina News, this week reported on the ukulele program at Tocumwal Public School.
Deni teacher Chris Bodey has been travelling to Toc. giving lessons to the Year 5 students who, by all reports, love their new musical activity with the article stating the “groovy little instrument is striking a pose across the globe”.
South West Music was also recognised for making available a ukulele and leather carry bag to each student so the skills developed in class can be practised in school and at home.
Local advice
And while we were checking out the SRN we saw a piece from a Tocumwal business operator on shopping locally which is pertinent to all small communities, which read:
‘‘Yes you probably can get it cheaper online, and yes the big boys can do it cheaper. But does their money go back into your town?
‘‘Do they pay their rates that fund local roads and those facilities you use? Do they sponsor or support local clubs, schools, groups and functions the way the locals do?
‘‘You can help a big wig buy another property or you can help a local put food on the table.’’
So true.
Rainbow festival
And a final plug from around the region. The Hay paper was spruiking the local Rainbow on the Plains Festival Fair Day, which will be held at Hay Pool on Saturday March 30.
There’ll be a concert and other activities, after some busking and a street parade. Fair Day will follow the street parade which kicks off at 1pm. The fair will include market and information stalls, jumping castle, photo booth, food vendors and live music.
Sounds like a lot of fun.
It’s bazaar
The Do It In Deni Street Bazaar is just two weeks away.
The highly anticipated event is expected to be bigger this year with classic cars and the dog parade which is a highlight of the day.
Additional stalls, displays, live music and food can be enjoyed alongside the Naponda Farmers Market located in the Waring Gardens.
It is expected to draw in a crowd with many Victorian tourists coming to Deniliquin over the Victorian Labour Day weekend.
The street will be closed off to traffic between Edwardes and Napier Sts during the bazaar, which will run between 9am and 1pm.
High tea stall
The Can Assist Deniliquin branch is holding a cake stall today from 9am at the Soroptimist kiosk in Cressy St to fundraise and sell tickets for the highly anticipated High Tea event.
It is an opportunity to buy the fast selling tickets for the High Tea on Saturday, March 23.
Can Assist Deniliquin supports local community members affected by cancer.
It relies on donations and fundraising within the community to continue this support, which has already helped 39 individuals in the Deniliquin community.
Can Assist encourages you to get involved and become one of the community’s greatest assets, helping local families during their cancer journey.
Tickets are $49 each with all money raised in the community staying in the community.
Christmas in February?
Deniliquin Lions Club made an interesting donation to local aged care facilities on Wednesday.
The local group donated a number of the popular traditional Lions Christmas cakes to Navorina and Orana nursing homes.
The Christmas cakes were left over from the club’s annual fundraiser, with the committee deciding to put them to good use.
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