The exciting and successful Tunzafun business started 35 years ago by Mulwala residents Barry and Norma Jackson and was the subject of a big upgrade opening last Saturday.
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About 200 people heard about big changes being planned for the Melbourne Street-located Mulwala amusement park back in 2015.
“The opportunity came to purchase the land. Federation Council was of great assistance in dealing with the Lands Department and about four years ago we were successful and now in conjunction with the Central Murray Credit Union we, the community, own it,” 12-year-serving volunteer George Jenkins said.
“Now that we were buying the land, we started designing what we thought would add to the park.
“The area taken up by the train was uncovered and very under-utilised. The train was taken out of service and stored for future development.
“This large shed was built to cover the entire area and to house the new dodgem track and other rides.
“The old, locally made chair-o-plane was removed to make way for a carousel with horses and carriages. A shed was built to cover this.”
After a wonderful introduction by the Jacksons, substantial investment was put into making the park bigger and better.
Original Tunzafun manager Graham Bott and George went to China to look for suitable rides and purchase them.
“We wanted rides that would cater for all ages,” the latter said.
“We purchased 12 new dodgem cars and track. Also we bought a Tea-cup ride, motor racing ride with six character cars for the young ones, four UFOs similar to our Krazy Kars but suitable for up to six-year-olds and a 12 horse two-gondola carousel.”
The new exciting rides arrived in July last year but straw used for packing meant the containers had to be unloaded and cleaned, leading to damage and missing parts. An insurance claim rectified this but caused further delay in getting replacements.
“A wonderful group of volunteers led by Daryl Davey commenced to assemble each of the rides,” George explained.
“Over the last 15 months, a group of six-to-eight men (including Daryl Davey, Colin Schwartz, Tony Cussack, Noel Owen, Neal Spratling and George Jenkins) have each put in 10 to 20 hours a week on this project. The average age of these people is about 70.
“They have built the decking around the carousel and tea-cup rides. These deckings were required to comply with safety regulations but have really set the rides off.
“The rides are now all commissioned and are open to the public. They have received registration with NSW government and are subject to an annual inspection.”
Since inception about 12 years ago it is estimated that around $800,000 cash back into the park, the majority emanating from park receipts.
The background to Tunzafun Amusement Park which included other park owners before the lease was taken over by Paul Belot, a local builder was outlined by George.
“About 13 years ago, Paul offered the equipment and park to the community through Doug Evans OAM and ‘Possum’ Purtle OAM.”
Messrs Evans and Purtle, as park co-ordinators, called for volunteers to clean up the park, which had been closed for about 18 months, and reopen it to the public.
Paul Jenkins, Mark Haley and John Lee and many other volunteers were thanked for assistance with the initial, big clean-up.
The Tunzafun Community Group was established under the umbrella of the Mulwala Progress Association. “Possum convinced Graham Bott, who had worked in the park when it was run privately to come along and instruct the volunteers in the running of the park,” George said. “As manager, he stayed 11 years.
“Together with a small core of volunteers, Graham set about providing this great asset for locals and visitors to our wonderful towns and providing much needed family entertainment.
“At this time the park consisted of the 18-hole mini-golf course, three trampolines, eight dodgem cars, four Krazy Kars, chair-o-plane and mini train.
“Over the next approximate seven years, we were able to completely remake the mini-golf course themed on the two towns. We have our lake with bridge, boat and jet-ski, wine barrels and camp-fire.
“Shade sails have been erected and landscaping carried out. We rebuilt the kiosk/office to include toilets that meet community expectations. We have installed a free electric BBQ set in a lawn area with picnic tables.”
On July 1, 2018, Phil Bott took over as park manager from Graham Bott and described last Saturday’s grand opening as successful despite inclement weather and sporting finals out of town.
“Without the volunteers we wouldn’t have a park,” Phil said.
“I’ve been most impressed with all the volunteers – they have given up so much of their time to ensure this park runs smoothly.
“Tunzafun is the biggest park of its type in north-east and western Victoria. It surpasses what I’ve heard about any other amusement park between Albury and Mildura, aside from water parks.”
Master of Ceremonies last Saturday was Doug Evans OAM who expressed appreciation to so many people.
Among those singled out who made the opening successful were Chris and John Holgate from Yarrawonga Bakery, and Matt Nagle Butchery.
Federation Council Mayor Pat Bourke, who officially unveiled the comprehensive big white board with names of volunteers, co-ordinators, tradies and suppliers, donations and other supporters, described Tunzafun as “a real standalone, regional, significant facility, a top-class facility”.
“It’s been amazingly built and run successfully by volunteers,” the mayor said.
“It says a lot about the community and the money which has been injected from the community is a credit to the Mulwala/Yarrawonga people.”
Journalist