General News
27 March, 2025
Rainbow market set for big weekend
THE Oasis Rainbow Market will host more than 40 stalls this weekend, drawing exhibitors from Sea Lake, Horsham, Ouyen, Bendigo, and Melbourne.
Twelve stallholders will participate in the market for the first time on Saturday, March 29, from 3-7pm.
Shoppers will find various products, including jewellery, candles, fresh vegetables, baked goods, plants, and books.
Denim jackets and second-hand books will also be available.
Live entertainment will add to the atmosphere, with Maurice Conway from Hopetoun performing music from 3-5pm and the Hopetoun Theatre Group taking the stage for a dance performance at 5pm.
Food options will be plentiful. Food vans, scouts, and Rainbow P-12 College students will serve meals, while the Rainbow Lake Committee will provide a barbecue for marketgoers.
Market organiser Les Graetz encouraged the local community to participate in the event, highlighting the opportunity to support local businesses and enjoy a lively day out.
Three Rainbow P-12 College students will showcase their businesses at the Oasis Rainbow Market this weekend, joining more than 40 other stalls for a day filled with live music and dancing.
Year 9 students Jasper Bigham and Riley Muggeridge will run a car cleaning and detailing stall, while Year 7 student Will Glen will serve slushies to marketgoers at the Saturday, March 29, market which runs from 3-7pm.
Jasper is exhibiting due to his passion for cleaning cars.
“I love cleaning cars, just like learning about the cars and making people stay by making their stuff clean,” he said.
Jasper’s dad inspired him to take on the challenge.
“My pa has a whole bunch of cars, and I love cleaning them," he said
"I help him out every now and then, so I just followed him,” he explained.
Jasper and Riley teamed up to bring their skills to the community.
“We both agreed to do it and just went for it,” Jasper said.
Jasper wants to showcase what young people can achieve.
“I want to show the community what young teenagers can do and help improve the area,” he said.
Jasper also sees a future in the business.
“I want to own a shed full of cars and work on them. I’d love to do it in Rainbow,” he said.
Meanwhile, Will Glen plans to serve slushies and bring a fun and refreshing experience to the market.
“I wanted to go out in the community and actually do something,” Will said.
Will sees the market as an opportunity to grow.
“It helps us do things we love and make some extra pocket money,” he said.
He chose slushies as he enjoys them and believes others his age will, too.
“I want to build a small business and expand it in the future by adding things like snow cones and anything like that,” he said.
Will is going to make slushies by himself in the market and encourage other young people to leap into entrepreneurship.
“If you’re a young teenager and want to start a business, just go for it," he said.
"Start small, but it’s a great way to step out of your comfort zone."
Jasper, Riley, and Will prove that passion and hard work can turn ideas into reality, regardless of age.