At the very first Bonfire Night in 2010, I set up a little stand and called it “Alpine Corner” – our cute gingham themed stall sold hot chocolates and fondue!! That night, there was also a soup stand, hot chips, the Lion’s Club doing the BBQ. One hundred or so people attended this fledgling fundraiser. The event’s informality and was an instant hit with locals, and within a year or two had grown to a major attraction.
Bonfire Night night was the brainchild of long time local, and well travelled entrepreneur, Louise Brosnan. Louise had enjoyed Celtic and winter solstice festivals in Europe, and thought a mid winter outdoor party with lots of fire would suit Killarney’s chilly climate very well. Louise explained to everyone what a fire drum was, and to instil an Australian flavour, she encouraged local tradies and farmers to get creative with their welders and scrap steel.
The event starts late afternoon, with the sun still shining, and the weather brisk, as it always is in July! As the sun sinks, the fire drums are lit, and the atmosphere warms up. Flames lick up and out of the various creations – some are mechanical, some delicate and arty, some mean and spooky.
A ring of fire drums circles a large, very large, wood pile – this giant pyramid of wood, will be lit once the dark and cold has really settled in for the night. The drums take on a life of their own, as the fires burn, and the metal shapes glow with heat. Food and drinks are enjoyed around the drums, until the central pyre is lit. An eerie light engulfs everything, as the blaze quickens and crackles. Flames glow high into the sky, amid drifting shrouds of smoke and welcome warmth.
Now an average of 3 000 people attend each year. Stall holders have geared up for ever bigger demand, and now the event has a host of speciality food trucks, and local providores, even boutique brewers. Alpine Corner decided to specialize in one of our most popular items, Gluwein, or Mulled Wine. The Mulled Wine stand sticks to its traditions, and heats our brew over flames. Customers begin appearing within moments of the gate opening, and each year now we serve hundreds of cups of mulled wine in an intense four hour period. The trick is to keep the wine, piping hot, but never boiling. No mean feat over an open fire. Our brew includes dry red wine, orange juice, brown sugar, warm spices such as nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon, orange peel, and always…a final dash of brandy.
The fun of the stall is meeting all the customers as they roll up so glad to imbibe our hot and spicy draught. We work off the back of our utility, mixing the brew and getting it warm. The fire is built on an old ploughshare, and our cauldrons are blackened and crusty with years of sitting over open fires.
The night is sometimes magically clear and sparkly, but it can also be dusty and smokey, or biting and windy, or foggy and muddy. Whichever of these, its always very cold: numb fingers and cold noses are a given.
But there is always a great attitude amongst visitors and workers. Something about the evening brings out a camaraderie and stoicness – a determination to toughen up and enjoy the rustic and extreme conditions. It must be acknowledged, Bonfire is a rather rough and ready event; in particular, its quite hard to see one’s way around in the dark. It’s not a place to go if you want to sit comfortably, and enjoy a nice meal. And definitely not a place to wear your best kit – it will go home very smoky!
Bonfire is about standing up around drums, telling yarns, meeting fellow travellers, and marvelling at the elements – earth, sky, stars and fire.
Everyone in the McCormack family has put in to help over the years. My two key staff are son, Joseph and his partner, Emily Richter. Many of Joseph and Emily’s friends have pitched in over the years, too. Emily is the brewer, Joseph is in charge of the fire. Myles Parry contributed our fire drum, and Mick McCormack does the post event supper – we’re always hungry and ready for a nourishing casserole when the gates close.
Bonfire Night began as a fund raiser for Killarney Memorial. Over the years, we have raised over $250 000 for aged care and community health services. The event is now co-ordinated by Jan Hamilton and Glenis Price and the Show and Rodeo Society Committee. The local Fire Brigade volunteers have been there from the beginning as essential participants.
Lyndall McCormack
Proprietor, Stephanie’s
Honorary Chairman, Killarney Memorial