If you’ve seen a movie at Port Fairy’s Reardon Theatre this summer you may know them.
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They wear red, white and black “uniforms” with bright aprons.
One carries an old-fashioned tray, the word ‘sweets’ on the front.
Together they run the “confectionery department” feeding families who enjoy a film on the big screen.
It’s time to pull back the red curtain.
Helen Crosier and Andi Besford are this year’s James O’Neill Community Service Award recipients and will be recognised at the Moyneyana Australia Day ceremony at Fiddlers Green at 10am.
The pair are as humble as they come and both said there were many other deserving recipients in the community.
“We were pretty gobsmacked,” Mrs Crosier said.
“I seriously think it could go to anybody in the community,” Ms Besford said.
Away from the Port Fairy Film Society, Mrs Crosier volunteers with Meals on Wheels two to three times per month.
She also helps with dinners at the Port Fairy Football Netball Club and is a Friends of Rotary member.
Mrs Crosier has been in Port Fairy with her family for 17 years and came from the Latrobe Valley.
Ms Besford volunteers at Moyneyana House on Wednesdays and her Port Fairy Film Society commitments keep her busy on Tuesdays and Fridays.
She also works at the Port Fairy and Region Visitor Information Centre on Fridays and puts together an informal weekly newsletter about events in Port Fairy.
While the pair will be acknowledged on Australia Day there will also be a host of activities held at Fiddlers Green from 8am.
There will be a free Port Fairy Belfast Lions Club Community Breakfast and the official ceremony will start at 10am with a keynote address from Ben Harkin.
Arty Hoey and his Streamline Band will delight punters with their musical prowess and there will also be some old-fashioned games for kids on the grass, organised by the Port Fairy Sea Scouts.
If people are feeling peckish, pop along for a hot dog lunch and an Australian lamington.
In the evening there will be a free family movie at dusk on the green (weather permitting).
The film will be Bran Nue Day, starring some of Australia’s most-loved actors and musicians, including Geoffrey Rush, Deborah Mailman, Missy Higgins, Jessica Mauboy, Magda Szubanksi, Ernie Dingo and Dan Sultan.
Runners and walkers and fitness enthusiasts can also head along in the morning to Park Run.
Meet at the South Beach toilet block at 7.50am for a short briefing before the five kilometer run or walk.
Park Run is open to all abilities and is held every Saturday.
The historic Port Fairy lighthouse will also be open to the public.
Make your way from the car park at the entrance to Griffiths Island along the meandering trail to the lighthouse.
It will be open from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
Surfing lovers also have the opportunity to pick up a new stick, or get rid of an old one at a friendly event on Saturday.
A surfboard swap meet will be held in Port Fairy from 10am at Fishermen’s Walk.
A golf tournament will also be held on Saturday and Sunday at the Port Fairy Golf Course.
Australia Day is the final day of the month-long Moyneyana Festival, which kicked off on Christmas Eve in the seaside town.