Gala day pulls in the spectators, cash

PATRICK HAMILTON/Nelson Mail

DANCING MAGIC: Entertaining during the talent show at Nelson Central School Gala are, from left, 8-year-olds Hazel Rae, Yasmina Coe, Melany Malcolm and Siobhan Jonkers.

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Candy floss, bouncy castles, clowns and a helicopter landing were all centre stage at Nelson Central School's gala yesterday, as hundreds of pupils, parents and teachers arrived for their dose of community fun.

However, it was the students who stole the show, with the inaugural Central's Got Talent competition featuring 11 pupils who showed their singing, dancing, gymnastic and comedy skills.

"People were really enthusiastic about it. There were lots of great participants," parent Martin Workman said.

School principal Paul Potaka said it was a great community effort and he was amazed how the organising committee had pulled it off. "It's about a community being together and the financial side of it is nice, but really, it is about something more than that."

He said food stalls had been particularly successful, with everything from Mexican nachos and Dutch oliebollen to Devonshire teas and Kiwi pavlova.

Parent Julie Walker said it had been a great day, with the school raising about $20,000 and still more to come in. "The crowd really enjoyed it and the weather stayed perfect."

The money would first go towards redoing the concrete area at the back of the school.

"Now we just look forward to the next one."

- © Fairfax NZ News