Claws out at yabby races

Moulamein Preschool business manager Shantal Sherman shared the event’s rich history and significance.

“It has been held for many years, always on Easter Saturday,” she said.

“Last year, we relocated the event from the main street to the Moulamein Heritage Village.”

The venue change has been a hit with attendees.

“We have got an amazing Heritage Village and it was fantastic for the event,” Shantal said.

“It is great to have room to spread out and encourage more things to be part of the day.”

The Yabby Races and Easter Fair traces its origins back to the 1990s, when a group of children were bored on school holidays, hanging around the main street.

Graham Walker, the butcher on the main street at the time, told the children to go and catch some yabbies, suggesting they race them.

As a result, the first yabby race took place in front of the butcher's shop.

Graham then got the preschool involved and it became a fundraising event.

The original shop is now called the Old Butcher Shop, a bottle shop, and there is a plaque in the park where the event was previously held to commemorate how it started.

The yabby races are a true community effort, with the Moulamein Men’s Shed playing a vital role in catching the yabbies.

The event’s proceeds support local initiatives, with all the proceeds of the event going back to the preschool or for community things.

Previous fundraising efforts have included purchasing a defibrillator for the preschool and supporting the community daycare.

The fair boasts a variety of attractions for all ages with market stalls, games and a jumping castle, show bags, snow cones, raffle prizes and all of the Moulamein Heritage Village on display.

The Moulamein Car Club joins in the fun, displaying vintage cars.

“Quite a lot of the town gets involved,” Shantal said.

“The preschool holds a special place to most people in Moulamein because almost everyone’s kids went, or they went, or they have had some involvement over the years.”

Participants can choose their yabby and cheer it on as it scuttles to the finish line.

For those keen to participate in the yabby races, tickets can be purchased on the day per race.