Simi Naicori unleashes his fire breathing skills to entertain the crowd.
The great community of Finley came together once again last Saturday evening to celebrate the festive season with the Finley Lions Xtravaganza at Railway Park.
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The perfect weather enticed families to take along a rug and/or chairs and join in the carol singing and other entertainment taking place.
There was plenty to keep the children occupied including the free jumping castle and, of course, Santa arriving in the Finley Fire + Rescue NSW truck.
As usual, the service clubs and other groups united to provide food and drinks, and volunteers were circulating selling tickets in the Birralee Preschool and OOSH spinning wheel prizes.
Winners of the lighting awards were announced, and prizes presented.
It started with the presentation of the Chrissie Wastle Encouragement Award, by Helen Wastle, to Josh Ryan of 107 Coree St.
Cassie Dundon, Camilla Massina, Georgie Coombs, Ruby Delmenico, Poppy Littlejohn and Bailey and Caleb Kennedy.
The Business Award was won by Australian Unity at 146-148 Murray Street.
In the residential awards, first prize went to James Olgilvie and Melissa Miaoudis for their magnificent display at 5 Burke St.
Second was to Sam and Elyse Price at 105 Coree St.
Many cars were seen cruising the streets later in the evening to check out these and the other wonderful displays around the town.
Those attending the Xtravaganza were also treated to an amazing display of fire breathing and stick twirling by a talented local young man, Simi Naicori.
Simi astonished the adults and fascinated the children with his skills using the fire sticks and blowing flames from his mouth.
The 22 year-old grew up in Finley and was captain of Finley High School before going on to do his apprenticeship as pastry chef with Finley Bakery & Patisserie.
His fire skills are all self-taught with the help of online research.
“When I was young I wanted to be a Ninja Turtle, so I have been playing with sticks for many years,” he said.
Simi’s big sister Rose commented he has always been a performer and “needed to be in the spotlight all the time when we were little”.
It is Simi’s ambition to become a circus artist.
He will be heading off to Surfers Paradise in the New Year to pursue his dream.
Local fire breather Simi Naicori with the youngsters who attended the Xtravaganza.
Josh Ryan received the Chrissie Wastle encouragement Award from Helen Wastle.
Megan Vallance, Nola Maher and Kylie McLean.
Santa (aka Phil Thompson) with Wynnie Walsh and Parker Gray.
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