There was lots on the agenda for Bundanoon Winterfest this year from the opening night, to the bonfire and everything in between.
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Events were assessed their potential to go safely ahead and luckily, some small businesses and Highlanders were able to celebrate.
Bundanoon Winterfest convenor James Fulford-Talbot said some of the workshops went ahead safely in person, or were livestreamed.
"About 80 people were able to have a Winterfest experience so that was a win," he said.
Small businesses around the Highlands told us how their Covid-safe workshops went for Bundanoon Winterfest.
Liz Castle: Castle Handmade
Liz whipped out the crochet hooks and helped a couple of Highlanders crochet tea cosies at her studio in Wingello earlier this month.
"It was a lovely morning," she said.
"It was good to have an intimate workshop."
Mrs Castle was supposed to have her first workshop during last year's festivities before they were cancelled.
Lana Jones: Studio Jones Mittagong Candles
This was the candle-maker and proprietor's first Winterfest workshop which she ran at the Fulford Folly at a reduced capacity.
"It was a great little night," she said.
"While the numbers weren't there, it was great to offer that service to the community.
"We were given the option to modify our events for restrictions, and the organisers were very accommodating."
Attendees learned how to create scented soy candles, which they decorated with locally sourced florals.
Mrs Jones said she was enthusiastic to take part in next year's festivities.
Glynis Charles: Glen Mist Felt
Winterfest was also a first for the business owner who was lucky to hold three felting workshops.
"It was great to see all of the locals," she said.
"Everyone was quite intrigued by felting."
Mrs Charles ran a workshop for kids, one for adults and another for a mixed group, where all attendees created their own felt flowers.
One of the techniques used was to use sheep wool and soapy water to bring felts together, which she said the children particularly enjoyed.
"They were quite happy to make the mess," she laughed.
Highlanders also:
- Learned how to make compost at the Fulford Folly with Quarter Acre Farm.
- Learned about the importance of documenting the 2019/20 bushfires through the iNaturalist app with Wingello local Casey Kirchhoff who lost her home in the Morton fires.
- Eezy Beez taught residents over Zoom how to make their gardens bee friendly and their importance in local gardens.
- Burradoo local Lynne Ainsworth invited attendees to find a family heirloom and taught them how to write a story about it, and learned about its history over Zoom.
- A group of kids got creative in the kitchen and made sweet and savoury pizzas with the Bundanoon Hotel chefs.
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