Stellar company: Undera the Stars was made possible by its community members, including (from back left) Corey Turvey, Brenton Campbell, Alistair Chessells, Felice Sgammotta, (front) Nicole Hart and Irene Sgammotta.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
The October 2022 floods devastated Undera, transforming the small town into a muddy wasteland, but now the resilient community is on the cusp of a vibrant rebirth.
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The upcoming event Undera the Stars, scheduled for Saturday, May 11 at the Undera Recreation Reserve, symbolises this resurgence.
The evening is set to sparkle with local tunes, culinary delights and family-friendly activities, complemented by essential recovery support services.
Although the event organiser reads Resilience in Recovery, the government-funded and community-led initiative has delivered on its promise to listen, support and engage the community.
To this end, Undera residents were encouraged to actively participate in the planning process.
A committee was formed among the townsfolk, dedicated to turning the concept of Undera the Stars into a reality.
Among its members were local dairy farmers Felice and Irene Sgammotta.
Their venture, DairyFresh Gelato, is proud to serve as one of the event’s food vendors, selling its award-winning homemade gelato.
“We were quite happy to be a part of it — we’ve been a part of the Undera community for a long time, at least 50 years,” Mr Sgammotta said.
Straight to the pint: One of the vendors at Undera the Stars is DairyFresh Gelato, owned by Irene and Felice Sgammotta.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Mr Sgammotta said he was most excited about the atmosphere created by bringing Undera and other communities together.
“We have shared experiences, the good times and bad, and hopefully, people who need help can talk and meet with others,” he said.
Before indulging in desserts, guests can savour a barbecue dinner prepared by the Undera Football Netball Club.
Club president Corey Turvey has rallied members to cook a free barbecue, run a bar, organise a Mother’s Day raffle and clean up afterwards.
“I know how badly the floods affected many of our members ... it hit our community pretty hard,” he said.
Back in 2022, local sporting groups were among the throngs of volunteers filling and carting sandbags to protect Undera homes from surging floodwaters.
Today, many are still impacted by the disaster.
“Some faces I haven’t seen back at the club, so this event will be a chance for them to reconnect,” Mr Turvey said.
“Everyone from the community and broader community should come, it’ll be a good night.”
Mr Turvey wished to thank Greater Shepparton City Council’s Resilience in Recovery team for recognising the flood’s effect on the Undera community and its diligent planning to make events such as this possible.
Additionally, council would like to acknowledge and thank the community members for their valuable contribution to Undera the Stars: Glenn Campbell, Robyn Bell, Nicole Hart, Brenton Campbell, Felice and Irene Sgammotta, Kaylene Reid, Chris Conzi, Alistair Chessells, Myles Nicholl, Sharon Allen, Allan Brunt, Corey Turvey, Robert Slee, Mikaela White and Bart Van Ruiswyk.
Undera the Stars is on Saturday, May 11, from 6pm to 10pm, at the Undera Recreation Reserve, 1915 Echuca Rd, Undera.
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