Juniors firefighters (from left) Liam Keegan, 12, Tom Giblin, 14, Ricky Atkinson, 12, Darcy Giblin, 12, and Mitchell Williams, 12, prepare for this weekend’s championships.
WARRNAMBOOL is in for a tourism windfall this weekend with thousands of people expected to visit for events that range from sport to a high school anniversary and a medical conference.
Warrnambool City Council tourism services manager Peter Abbott said most visitor accommodation places had already received good bookings for this weekend but there was still accommodation available.
Among the events luring people to Warrnambool this weekend is the State Junior Fire Brigade Championships that are expected to involve about 900 competitors and about 1000 spectators.
The young CFA volunteers, aged from 11-17 years old, will compete over two days at Friendly Societies’ Park in a diverse range of events that aim to build fitness and practical firefighting skills.
The 2013 Australian Wingless Sprint Title at Premier Speedway this weekend will also bring thousands of speedway fans to the city for three nights of fast-paced action.
About 100 entrants have been drawn into their respective qualifying nights with the first half of the field contesting three rounds of heats and preliminary feature events on Friday.
The second half of the field will take to the track on Saturday night before the speedway hits full throttle for the championship deciding final on Sunday.
Also making Warrnam-bool bustling this weekend will be the official start this Friday to Brauer College’s year-long 100th anniversary celebrations.
Friday’s celebrations will involve past and present staff, students and their families, and community members with links to Brauer College and its predecessor, Warrnambool Technical School.
An opening ceremony on Friday morning will feature speeches by Victorian Governor Alex Chernov and other dignitaries, a student parade and flag-raising ceremony, followed by the ‘turning of the soil’ for the opening of The Avenue of Honour.
Topping off the Brauer’s celebrations on Friday will be a family fun barbecue, fireworks and entertainment including a Brauer AFL Legends’ game. The college will hold a gala reunion on Friday, May 3.
Adding to the activity will be the “Turning the Tide” Birth and Breastfeeding three-day conference at the Lighthouse Theatre that will bring in 300 health professionals from throughout Australia. The health professionals will hear from speakers from throughout the world on issues that range from midwifery skills to fussy babies.