General News
16 December, 2024
Top entertainment for Australia Day
Organiser of the annual Australia Day event in Warracknabeal, the local Rotary Club, is pleased to have secured some fabulous local entertainers and inspirational past residents for the free community event on Sunday January 26 2025.
Starting at 8am when a free cooked breakfast will be available under the vines at the Warracknabeal Racecourse, the Warracknabeal Men’s Shed musicians will entertain the crowd with a popular repertoire of Aussie songs.
During the official program, which starts at 9am, popular up-and-coming musician from Beulah, Brylie Chivell, will be performing.
Brylie describes her music as “a blend of folk, pop, blues and country – a little bit of everything that tells a story and feels like home”.
“Music has been a lifelong passion for me, sparked by my dad, who played in a band throughout my childhood," Brylie said.
"He introduced me to the guitar, and singing was always something I enjoyed and loved sharing with my extended 'festivus' family.
"Growing up in a rural setting provided me with not only the time to learn music but also a way to find enjoyment and connection.
"Music is how I stay grounded and have fun.
"Whether I’m playing for a friend's special day – such an honour – or jamming solo at home, for me it’s always been about being in the moment and connecting with others”.
We look forward to seeing what Brylie has in store for our Australia Day audience in January.
Another highlight of the event will be a presentation by our guest speaker, a past resident who we’ve been trying to secure for several years – this year he can make it.
Fitting into a busy schedule around the country we're pleased that this year former AFL player Matt Rosa is able to join us.
Matt began his footy career with the Brim Football Club in the 1990s.
At just 13 years of age in 1999 he won the Brim U16 Best and Fairest award.
Over the years he lived up to his potential to play at the elite AFL level.
Matt’s former U16 coach at Brim and later for the Warrack Eagles U17s, Frosty Gunn is full of praise for Matt.
“Matty showed at an early age that he was destined to be a great sportsman.
"He applied himself in everything that sport offered, not only in football but also basketball, cricket etc.
"He had great hand-eye co-ordination and was keen to take sport as far as he could.
"Football was his strength.
"Being a hard-working player who wanted to achieve, he led by example and lifted others to perform.
"Matt was respected by his teammates and his peers.
"Matty comes from a great sporting family: his brothers Luke and Simon showed their own prowess and his parents Col and Leanne (née Addinsall) are very proud of their sons."
Matt’s impressive football career boasts many achievements.
As a junior he won the Brim Junior Sports Award and Warrack Eagles U17 Best and Fairest and went on to play for the North Ballarat Rebels.
In 2004 he was drafted to the West Coast Eagles and in 2006 he was an AFL Rising Star nominee.
A well-respected and highly valued player and leader, after 10 seasons with the Eagles Matt was awarded life membership of the club.
He transferred to the Gold Coast Suns in 2016, finishing his AFL playing career there after an impressive total of 207 AFL games.
Matt continued with AFL football in various leadership, strategic and coaching roles and currently is the AFL talent and operations manager of Essendon Football Club.
Matt, now 38, is married to Hayley and adores his three children: Otis, Lenny and Mia.
We look forward to hearing about Matt’s journey.
Pass the word around about our guest musician, Brylie Chivell, and guest speaker, Matt Rosa.
It will be great to have an appreciative crowd on the day to be inspired by these two special people.
Contributed by Wendy Hewitt
