The Bungawitta Festival

Bungawitta was a small town surrounded by dry paddocks and silver-leaved gum trees. Each year, its residents held a festival on the night of the full moon. Long ago, people had chosen that night because moonlight helped everyone find their way home after the celebration. These days, strings of battery-powered lights brightened the oval, but the full moon remained part of the tradition. This year, a radio reporter named Jo heard about the festival when local baker Maisie Macduff sent the station a cheerful email. Jo and her camera operator, Talia, came to record the event. Maisie offered to bake her famous pumpkin scones. She did not have time to cook everything, so neighbours brought salads, fruit and sandwiches to share. Not everyone was pleased about the festival. Mr Dale, who lived beside the oval, worried that the music would keep his old dog, Banjo, awake. The organisers promised to finish the music by nine o’clock and to keep the speaker pointed away from his house. The festival committee had saved a little money, but not enough to hire a band or build a large stage. Instead, they borrowed a microphone from the community hall. Children made paper lanterns, adults put up tables, and two teenagers volunteered to perform songs. Several neighbours also helped the preparations from home. When the moon rose, people gathered around the oval. The food table filled quickly, and the children’s lanterns glowed beside the path. Jo recorded the welcome speech, while Talia filmed the crowd enjoying the songs. Mr Dale came over with Banjo after the music ended. He said the dog had slept through most of the evening. The festival was special not because it was grand, but because everyone had found a way to contribute.

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