THE third annual Tanja Public School Market Day fundraiser held on Saturday was a huge success.
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Michelle Wilkie and Emma Cattermole were the main organisers of the event, spending two to three months working on it.
The market day attracted around 600 people, which was the biggest crowd Ms Wikie had seen attending the market day.
“It was huge,” Ms Wilkie said.
“We want to showcase what the school is about, and it is a perfect day to do that.
“We had great weather, and there was a great community feeling.
“We all pull together to make this happen – it’s a big team effort.
“It was a lot of work, [but] it was great.”
There are 16 children at Tanja Public School, and they and their families assisted with the market.
The children ran the free face-painting store and helped out at their parents’ stalls.
The theme was home-made and home-grown, and so there were no stalls featuring items that had been mass produced.
There were 40 stalls selling such items as hand printed T-shirts, kits to teach children how to sew, ceramics, collectables, art, and retro fabrics that had been made into clothes.
Donations to the event included milk from ABC Milk in Tilba, marquees from Coast Life and Bega Valley Public School, as well as books, pre-loved clothes and “manpower” from the local community.
This was the first year the market featured buskers such as the four Browne sisters, Ella Davies, Sasha Millhouse, Damon Davies and Vin the violinist.
A choir led by Dan Scollay made up of 30 members from both the Bega and Bermagui choirs performed on the day.
“The funds raised were enough to cover the goals of the Tanja School P&C,” Ms Wilkie said.
She said these goals included funds for taking children on excursions, future land improvements to the school grounds, and assisting with taking the children to local sporting events.
“The money really helps to make sure our children don’t miss out on anything,” she said.
The market day was originally to be held in April, but was called off due to rain.
“We got a lot of support from the community after postponing,” Ms Wilkie said.
“The wider community really has been fantastic, and we couldn’t do it without them.”
Ms Wilkie thanked the Tanja School staff for their support of the day.
“Without the efforts of the school staff and principal, there would be no market – they are integral to the success.”
