Morgan Scenic Cruises - Morgan, South Australia

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MURRAY RIVER
CHOIR HIGHLIGHT
AT MANNUM’S
TAKE A RIVER TOUR
FESTIVAL
The Murray River Choir sang three inspiring songs at Mannum’s Take a River Tour Festival brought to you by
Mannum Waters and the Mid Murray Council last Wednesday in the lead up to group sprint finish of the IG
Markets Stage 2 of the Santos Tour Down Under.
Sixty two members sang to spectators under the Santos Tour Down Under arch on Mannum’s main street.
Spectators were spellbound with the presentation and a few tears were seen with the final performance. All in the
official event t-shirt, the choir inspired the crowd with river themed songs Proud Mary and Rivers of Babylon
concluded with the grand finale of I still call Australia home concluding with all singers waving their Australian
flags with pride.
Under the excellent music direction of Tracy Schache and accompanied by pianist Paul Hilton, the choir’s
magnificent sound emanated throughout Mannum’s main street with the spectacular Santos Tour Down Under
finish arch as their backdrop.
The celebrity sprint featured Member for Schubert Ivan Venning, Mid Murray Councillors, Kerry Yeates and
Mardi Jennings, Mannum Waters Directors, Mayor Neil Martinson of Renmark Paringa Council, Andrew
Rushworth and John Weber, Sarah Demicoli and Steve Murphy, Power FM’s Stupid O’Clock Announcers, Zoe
Tomkinson from Brown Havelberg Partners Real Estate, Holly Shires from River Estates First National, Dylan
Hogarth and Angel Budarick from the Murray Valley Standard and local residents Dean Mobbs and Dave
Schache.
Mayor Dave Burgess waved off both heats with riders issued with neutral bikes from Bike SA creating no
advantage ensuring skill, speed and fitness to be the ultimate weapon in the up hill celebrity challenge.
The final was won by Mannum Waters Director, Andrew Rushworth after two exciting heats featuring Mid Murray
Council’s Shaun (Chicken) Barlettt with his motorized bike ‘Stig’ (Top Gear) mannequin to add some fun and a
few laughs during some friendly competition. Dylan Hogarth and Angel Budarick came second and third
respectively representing the Murray Valley Standard.
Perfect weather conditions were experienced by over 110 riders who participated in the Younghusband to Mannum
Recreational Ride ending in a victory ride up Mannum’s main street through the Santos Tour Down Under
arch. Spirits were very high as participants left the Mannum Ferry to their final destination of Arnold Park. All
riders aged 16 and over were entered into a raffle for a Giant Road Bike worth $2200 donated by the Aldgate Bike
Shop which was won by Sophie Van De Ven of Adelaide and the junior prize was won by Sophie Bruhn of Bow
Hill who will receive a signed jersey by the overall Santos Tour Down Under winner.
An exciting bunch sprint finish was enjoyed by approx 7000 - 8000 + crowd in Mannum and the winner from Great
Britain, Ben Swift from Sky Procycling enjoyed split second victory and the excitement was heralded by cycling
enthusiasts, visitors and locals. Second was Robbie McEwen from Radio Shack and third was Graeme Brown
from Rabobank.
Ngangaruku custodian Isobelle Campbell and Mayor Dave Burgess presented the IG Markets Stage 2 winner with
a traditional Murraylands gift, a fossilized sea urchin necklace handcrafted by Isobelle and the official Santos Tour
Down Under trophy. Later Isobelle presented the day two overall winner Robbie McEwen with a basket of
Murraylands produce.
‘Mannum and our region came alive on Wednesday with the Santos Tour Down Under and associated festivities
presented. I commend Tungkillo and Palmer for embracing the event and presenting their towns with creative
sculptures and colour”, said Mayor Dave Burgess.
‘The volunteer support for Mannum’s event was outstanding and I sincerely thank everyone involved on behalf of
the Mid Murray Council’
‘The businesses in Mannum dressed their windows with unique ideas which presented a warm welcome to the
international riders’.
Visitors and locals meandered through the many craft and food stalls on offer at Mary Ann Reserve where the live
entertainment continued throughout the afternoon with the Unley Concert Band, Baker’s Digest and Greedy Frank
culminating in a star performance by ‘Mental As Anything’ and a spectacular fireworks display started on the last
note of the Mental’s final song creating a magnificent ending to an exciting day for Mannum.
The Mannum Dock Museum won the Stage 2 and overall State award for the best presentation in the Innovation
and Effort Category for their display entered in the Santos Best Dressed Town Competition which featured the
superb presentation of artwork in the ‘Cycling on the Murray’ exhibition and an amazing presentation of creative
bikes by Mannum’s own cycling superhero Trevor Frahn and murals by the Mannum Community College.
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