They don't do anything by halves in the People's Republic of Ainslie. They brag about their IGA - enough about the cheese section already - and their heritage listed cottages and now they're claiming the best birthday celebration of the year.
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Ainslie resident Tim Benson celebrated his 50th birthday with a viking themed fundraiser for the Canberra Hospital Foundation in the park in the front of the Ainslie Shops and more than 100 friends and family, and neighbours, turned up.
The fire brigade even made an appearance when Benson lit up a viking ship "sending it to Valhalla".
"The firies were great, they turned up with their truck, gear and flashing lights, checked I had a permit, had a quick look around and then left - it really added a moment of suspense to the party," Benson said.
He said the reason he picked a viking theme for his 50th was because he thought people would think it would be the last thing he would do.
For weeks Tim he prepared for the big night, building firepits, spits and the ship.
A well known jazz musician around town, Benson organised for the 20-piece Blamey Street Big Band, joining in for a few feature pieces with the band on trumpet and flugelhorn.
"It's my party and I'll solo if I want to," he joked.
Guest singers Keith Potger, of Seekers fame, and Sarah Byrne, a local jazz singer and lawyer accompanied the band.
"I think it was a bit of an eye opener for my fellow locals when 100 people dressed as vikings turned up with beasts on spits, flaming fire pits, a viking ship with shields and a 20-piece big band," he said.
Lamb, chicken and rabbit were on the menu.
"I took too long to put the pig on the spit, but at least we had plenty of VB, the beer of the night, Viking Beer."
But it was more than a 50th birthday. Benson asked guests to donate to The Canberra Hospital Foundation's Walk for Wellness, along the Larapinta Trek, west of Alice Springs, a fundraiser that he will be taking part in early May.
"It seemed like a good idea one night after a few glasses of wine ... I'm committed now and want to raise as much as I can for the Canberra Hospital Foundation," he said.
He is selling the fire pits, spits and shields that he made for the party and giving 100 per cent of the money to the Canberra Hospital Foundation.
If you would like to support Benson in his fundraising efforts, head to: https://walkforwellnesslarapinta2019.everydayhero.com/au/tim-benson-s-walk-for-welness
Karen Hardy
I've covered a few things here at The Canberra Times over the years, from sport to education. But now I get to write about the fun stuff - where to eat, what to do, places to go, people to see. Let me know about your favourite things. Email: karen.hardy@canberratimes.com.au
I've covered a few things here at The Canberra Times over the years, from sport to education. But now I get to write about the fun stuff - where to eat, what to do, places to go, people to see. Let me know about your favourite things. Email: karen.hardy@canberratimes.com.au
