Peter and Aine Stirling at the Breakaways Conservation Park preparing to celebrate Coober Pedy’s centenary. Picture: TOM HUNTLEY
Source: News Corp Australia
EVEN Coober Pedy’s laid-back lifestyle on the desert edge will bow to a bit of formality as the world’s opal mecca prepares to celebrate its centenary over the Easter long weekend.
Residents Aine and Peter Stirling gave us a preview of how sophisticated evening style and the stark, desert landscapes will mesh to underscore the town’s 100 Year Ball on April 3.
The Ball will be a focal point of the celebrations in the Far North mining town, about 845km from Adelaide.
The Stirlings showed off their Ball style in advance, using one of the area’s natural wonders, the Breakaways Conservation Park as their backdrop.
“Everyone in town is getting really excited about the celebrations and reuniting with so many old friends,’’ said Aine, an opal sales assistant and mine tour guide.
“It’s probably the best year Coober Pedy is going to have with all the centenary events.’’
Mayor Stephen Staines said the Ball would pay homage to the town’s history, pioneers and cultural mix, including a decade by decade photographic display.
“It’s not often that people in Coober Pedy get the chance to dress up,’’ he said.
“But this year, our centenary year, there will be plenty of opportunities.’’
Ball organisers are encouraging those attending to dress up in evening wear like the Stirlings or national costumes to reflect the town’s eclectic mix of 45 nationalities.
Naturally it won’t be all formalities and ceremonies in such a frontier town.
Festivities kick off on Thursday April 2 with a giant party and multicultural festival in the main street followed by the Ball on Good Friday, the Coober Pedy Opal Festival
on April 4 and a reunion lunch at the Coober Pedy Area School on Easter Sunday.
The Coober Pedy Gem Trade Show is on April 4 and 5, enabling miners, retailers and wholesalers from around the world to showcase their products.
More details at cooberpedy.sa.gov.au/tourism
Coober Pedy to stage 100 Year Ball on April 3
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