This Day in History: 1996-05-05

A warm sunny day in Toodyay served the 12^th Moondyne Festival well. Moondyne Joe (alias Tony Maddox) again arrived in Toodyay from Perth on the Hotham Valley Tourist Railway steam train, accompanied by the ‘Colonial Police’. The Toodyay District High School ‘Surfies’ float and Steven Cousins’ ‘Mean Moondyne Machine’ (alias a decorated bicycle) were the winners in the float parade, organised by Lyn Johnson. A Town Crier, professional Jester and a Collectors’ Exhibition were features. The Toodyay Tourist Centre had to step up at the last minute with extra funding, due to the withdrawal of a long-time major sponser.

Sources:
Toodyay herald, Jan.-Feb. 1996, p.1; April 1996, p.13; May 1996, p.6; June 1996, pp. 1 (photos), 10-13 (photos).