By Bronwyn Hastings

Wimmera Steampunk Festival attendees were treated to a ‘magical’ night on Saturday at Dimboola, with a street parade, live music and costumes bringing the Carnival of Peculiarities to life.

Organiser Chan Uoy said it was a good night, complete with a full moon.

“Traders and festivalgoers alike gave positive feedback; a few of the traders said it was phenomenal – best trade ever,” he said.

Volunteer firefighters were part of the parade, in recognition of their efforts during the Little Desert National Park fire.

“It was amazing to have their presence, they looked really smart in full uniform. I felt really proud for them, and the community applauded them really well,” Mr Chan said.

About 3000 people attended Saturday night’s volunteer-run event.

“The event is run purely by volunteers, it’s a community event,” Mr Uoy said.

“To make it magical requires hard work and effort, and the good thing about Dimboola is it is a great community. 

“We can create more experiences in the region, and Wimmera Steampunk Festival is an example of that – the vision was there, the drive was there, the passion was there to make it happen for the community.”

Mr Uoy said the festival enabled people to unlock their imaginations and show a different side of themselves.

“It’s a chance to be creative, to be imaginative, to make a concept in your head come true,” he said.

“What’s exciting about the Wimmera Steampunk Festival is it enables you to unlock your imagination, whatever’s in there, and make it happen and realise it. 

“And what people experienced Saturday night was the realisation of the vision of a community event where we wanted to create a festive environment where people could escape, express their individuality and have fun, and at the same time connect with each other.”

Mr Uoy said it was profound to see people come alive and get noticed, and to see people forge new friendships.

“I had a lady come in yesterday, she said normally people don’t ask her to have her photograph taken, but that night 10 to 12 people asked her. She said she felt alive, connected, that she existed and felt beautiful,” he said.

“That’s amazing when you think about it, and that’s what steampunk is all about. 

“You can be whatever you want to be – we live in a society that’s conservative and you have to conform to fit in. For one night, you don’t have to conform. You can be fabulous.”

Mr Uoy said a debrief was scheduled with Dimboola Progress Association and other community groups before the next festival was announced, but set a tentative date of April 17, 2027.

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