Fiesta sparks joy

Jeparit buzzed excitedly on Saturday, March 1, as the Women of the Wimmera Jeparit Riverside Fiesta brought together locals and visitors for a night of live music, market stalls and community connection.

By Tayyaab Masroor

The Women of the Wimmera Jeparit Riverside Fiesta's youngest stall-holder Cianna with Jeparit Town Advisory Committee member Bec Shultz. A sea of faces flowed through town on the weekend for the inaugural Women of the Wimmera Jeparit Riverside Fiesta. Read how the event's success has buoyed organisers on page 3.

The Jeparit Town Advisory Committee and Hindmarsh Shire Council organised the event to celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 under the theme ‘Accelerate Action,’ drawing a crowd of around 200 attendees.

Jeparit Town Advisory Committee member Bec Schultz praised the event’s success and the strong community support.

The committee set out to create a space where people could connect, celebrate International Women’s Day, and showcase the strength of the local community.

According to Ms Schultz, one of the most inspiring moments came from the evening’s main event.

“The most inspiring moments of the night was the Q&A panel of guest speakers, featuring women working in traditionally male-dominated industries,” she said.

“Their insights and experiences left a lasting impression on attendees, reinforcing the event’s mission of empowerment and celebration."

Ms Schultz said performers and vendors received enthusiastic feedback.

The Hindmarsh Youth Council and local band Shannon Tatt and The Flipside energised the crowd with standout performances.

Visitors appreciated the scenic riverside venue, with many discovering the refurbished caravan park for the first time.

Local businesses thrived during the event, with the supermarket and cafe experiencing a customer surge.

The strong turnout and enthusiastic feedback sparked discussions about making the Jeparit Riverbank Fiesta a yearly tradition.

The Jeparit Town Advisory Committee will meet this Monday at the Town Hall to consider the proposal.

Organisers encouraged community members to attend and share their thoughts.

Ms Schultz thanked everyone who contributed to the event’s success.

“Our goal was to bring the community together, celebrate International Women’s Day, boost tourism and create networking opportunities for local and regional businesses,” she said.

“We are thrilled with the outcome and look forward to what the future holds.”