Community workshops to make lanterns

A "spectacular" procession of 300 lanterns made at community workshops will be held as part of Gosford Council's Australia Day celebrations at Woy Woy.

The council is holding a series of nine community workshops to make the lanterns between January 14 and 24.

Workshops will be held at Peninsula Community Centre on January 15, from 10am to 1pm; on January 17, 2pm to 5pm; and on January 18, 10am to 1pm.

They will be held at Deepwater Plaza shopping centre on January 19, from 10am to 1pm, and on January 24, from 2pm to 5pm.

Adults and children have been invited to join local youth and senior citizens groups to make the lanterns.

With workshop numbers strictly limited to 50 people per session, bookings are essential on 4323 7299.

All children under nine must be accompanied by an adult.

Council media officer Ms Kate Carragher said that participants should bring a painting shirt, an apron or wear old clothes.

There will also be a last-minute lantern-decorating workshop at Memorial Park, Woy Woy, from 4pm to 6pm on Australia Day.

The lantern procession themed "Remembering the past, we light the future" will begin at 8.15pm prior to the fireworks at 9.15pm.

Kayaks and canoes will carry lanterns by water while the main procession, which includes six large feature lanterns, will travel along Brick Wharf Rd from Memorial Park to Woy Woy wharf.

Construction of the lanterns will be under the artistic direction of Jyllie Jackson and her team from Light'nUp.

Based in Lismore, Jyllie has over 18 years experience in lantern events, having started and now directing Lismore's lantern festival that attracts crowds of over 30,000 people to the events.

Press release, 11 Jan 2007 Kate Carragher, Gosford Council