SUNSHINE PIPE DREAM
SUNSHINE COAST - Though the biggest chanukiah in the world resides in Jerusalem, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, Brian Rasmussen built a 1.5-metre candelabra on the Sunshine Coast in just one day.Rasmussen, a goat farmer, produced his artwork out of piping. It was lit at the Chabad of Rural and Regional Australia (RARA) and Sunshine Coast Jewish Community celebration at a private home in Maroochydore last Sunday. -NICOLE BRESKIN
THE ROAD TO GEELONG
GEELONG - Rabbi Dov Oliver of Chabad of Rural and Regional Australia (RARA) was already running late to the Chanukah gathering in Geelong last Sunday when his car broke down on the highway. Fortunately, his car made it, taking him and several dreidels and menorahs to the front door of his des-tination, when the vehicle subsequently "died". The celebration took place on the eighth night of Chanukah, with 25 people present. At the event, each attendant lit their own menorah, provided by RARA, which also catered the event.
-NICOLE BRESKIN
FAMILY FUN IN ADELAIDE
ADELAIDE - Chanukah was celebrated at Adelaide Hebrew Congegation in Glenside with entertainment for all the family. There was a children's dress-up competition, a painting session, a "Who wants to be a Maccabee?" quiz and films on the story of Chanukah. Rabbi Yosef Engel officiated in lighting the grand three-metre chanukiah in the garden in front of more than 50 people.
-DIANE BIJTMAN
$100,000 IN PERTH
PERTH - There were extra celebrations at the Perth Hebrew Congregation Chanukah function on December 28 when a cheque for $100,000 from the West Australian Govemment was handed to the shul by Yokine MP Bob Kucera. The grant will go towards improving security at the shul following racist graffiti attacks in 2004.
About 250 people took part in the celebrations in the shul gardens with music, children's entertainment and food stalls. The 0 Street Cafe in Leederville was buzzing with Israeli music, felafels and doughnuts before the chanukiah was lit on December 28.
-DEBBY VILENSKY
BORDERING ON CHANUKAH
ALBURY - Chanukah music played in the main street of Albury as the seventh annual lighting of the chanukiah took place in the town square. A crowd of about 100 people, induding non-Jews who were enjoying latenight shopping, joined in the celebrations. Children played on a merry-go-round and a jumping castle before eating doughnuts and playing with dreidels. Albury Mayor Dr Arthur Frauenfelder addressed the crowd and paid tribute to the local Jewish community.
APPLE ISLE LIGHTS UP
HOBART - Chabad House of Hobart host-ed a festive celebration at a state school. Pnina Clark, who organised the event with her husband David, said about 50 people attended - Progressives, Orthodox, Jews and non-Jews. "Neighbours that had not met each other came out and met at our Chanukah celebration" Hobart Hebrew Congregation president Caroline Heard emphasised the importance of such events to foster unity in the small Jewish community "We are one congregation. There are not enough people for two parts". On the sixth night, her congregation held an event at a private home with 60 people.
-NICOLE BRESKIN
ENVOY SHEDS LIGHT
Daphne Tamir lights the chanukiah in Canberra with the assistance of Israeli children.
CANBERRA - Children of Israeli government officials in Australia celebrated Chanukah at a party at the Israeli Embassy hosted by Ambassador Nati Tamir and his wife, Daphne. Helping to light the chanukiah were Noa Shalev, daughter of Israeli Trade Commissioner Nili Shalev, MN associate editor Chemi Shalev, and Moria Rozenberg, daughter of Israel Aircraft Industry representative in Sydney, Meir Rozenberg.
-BERNARD FREEDMAN
DESPITE BUSHFIRES, CHANUKAH GOES AHEAD
NEWCASTLE - Even ferocious bushfires could not stop 30 Jews in Newcastle from revelling in their Chanukah celebrations. But the fires - which ripped across the New South Wales central coast on Sunday - did put a dampner on the festival. About five Chabad of RARA representatives were travelling from Sydney when the roads were closed. Still, Newcastle Hebrew Congregation president David Gubbay said it went ahead, albeit without latkes and doughnuts.
-NICOLE BRESKIN