On Australia Day, it was exactly a year ago that Lee, husband Adam and their three sons moved to the town.
Adam was no newcomer to the region, however, having grown up at Stanhope before moving away and living for most of the past decade at Wollongong.
Lee joined the Kyabram Tomorrow group in May and said much of the organising for the event had been done.
“They’d been organising Tastes and Tunes for a few months prior to me arriving. I thought it would be a good way to meet people,” Lee said.
She bought eight years of event co-ordination to the group, having held a senior role with Tumbling Waters Retreat at Stanwell Tops, nestled along the coast between the beaches of Cronulla and Wollongong city.
"My role on Saturday will be to deal with the MC (Rod Alley) and the entertainments. My aim will be to make sure everything runs smoothly,” she said.
Lee said she, Adam and three boys, aged six, nine and 11, had adapted well to life in Kyabram.
“There is definitely more space for them to run around, they have a big enough backyard for footy and cricket now,” she said.
Renovations to the Unitt St house they now call home has dominated the schedule, along with — in more recent times — her entertainment co-ordination role with Tastes and Tunes.
“Everything looks ready to flow well on the night,” Lee said.
“We will kick off the entertainment at 5.30pm with a Welcome to Country ceremony on the main stage outside Hurley’s Hotel in Allan St.
“Then Baker Boys will open the night by playing the first of four sets from 5.40pm.”
Indi Gilmore will follow from 6.30pm until 7pm, performing at the other end of Allan St to the main stage — outside Cafe Three620.
Only the one stage, which will out of the front of Hurley’s Hotel.
Back on the main stage the Baker Boys will play from 7pm until 7.45pm before the long awaited return of Jayne Lilford to the stage.
The former X-Factor contestant will be performing from 7.45pm until 8.15pm and then Baker Boys will be back until 9.05pm and will play their final set at 9.40pm.
“In between breaks we will have some background music and Rod the MC will be using the breaks to recognise sponsors and make service announcements,” Lee said.
Lee said it was the first time she had been involved in a development group like Kyabram Tomorrow.
“The organisation of this event by the entire group has been great. We’ve had some great leaders in Carmen Nicholson, Karyn Grealy and Tanya Chiswell.
"Our last meeting was last night, but I am sure we will be running around last minute to make sure everything is all right,“ she said.
TASTES AND TUNES FACTS
Organising committee
Jess Halstead, Karyn Grealy, Anna Fitzgerald, Tania Chiswell, Samantha Barnard, Lee Carmody, Rodney Alley, Lauren Bennett, Robina Graetz and Carmen Nicholson.
Entertainment
Renowned entertainers Baker Boys, Dillmac trained award-winning performer Indi Gilmore and Kyabram X-Factor contestant Jayne Lilford will perform at the event.
Street closure
Allan St will be closed to vehicles, between Church St and Albion St, from 2pm on Saturday, February 4 until midnight. Entertainment will be from 5.30pm until 10.30pm.
Alcohol zone
Alcohol can be consumed on Allan St between Church St and Albion St, but not outside this area.
Major sponsors
Community Bank Kyabram & District, Kyabram Club, Gardiner Dairy Foundation, Kyabram Tomorrow and Campaspe Shire Council.
On the menu
Among the food vendors are Cafe Three620, Secretly Scrumptious, Marocco Cafe, Wickedly Deevine, Healthy Tummies Pantry, Hurleys Hotel, Society, The Farmer’s Wife, GV Cafe, Kyabram Plaza Theatre (loaded milkshakes), Masonic Lodge (sausage sizzle) and Dairy Fresh Gelato.
Community groups
1st Kyabram Scouts will be helping out on the night clearing tables. Kyabram Gift will be selling stubby holders at the event.
A parent pod containing a comfortable seat for feeding or pumping, a change table and a microwave oven will be in Allan St.
Goulburn Valley Water will provide free access to drinking water.
