GENERATIONS of family members were working side-by-side at the 151th Rheola Charity Carnival on Easter Monday.
Ellen Roberts has been part of the district’s big day all her life and spent 37 years as secretary of the carnival.
She was again on the volunteer roster with brother John Shay and her daughter Karen Weston.
“These days, I help out selling raffle tickets,” Ellen said.
“It’s always a great day and good to be with family.”
John said he recalled attending the carnival as a youngster when father would compete in woodchopping events.
“That was a long time ago ... back in the 1930s.”
Long-time volunteers were recognised during the official opening with presentations on behalf of Inglewood and Districts Health Service and Maryborough District Health’s Dunolly campus.
Doug Shay received a certificate of appreciation from Maryborough Health Service.
Another volunteer recognised with the Maryborough certificate was Mark Soulsby while John Coffey, missing the from the Rheola action this year because of of commitments at Sydney’s Royal Easter Show, was named the recipient of an IDHS certificate of appreciations.
The trio was praised for being part of the carnival’s volunteer team of many years.
Carnival president Matt Catto said: “We had a fabulous 151st Rheola Charity Carnival event and it would not be possible without every single person involved no matter how big or small- everyone all played an important part.”
Officials are still finalising receipts from the carnival that will be shared with Inglewood and Dunolly hospitals and Rheola hall and reserve committees.
The committee is meeting this Sunday for a debrief and to start planning for the 152nd carnival. “It’s straight back into action to set up another great year,” Mr Catto said this week.