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WHAT makes the perfect New Year’s Eve?
Good friends, great entertainment and maybe a cheeky tipple or two, say the punters at Albury Paceway.
Up to 4000 people gathered to ring in the new year at Albury Harness Racing Club’s New Year’s Eve meet for a night of family friendly fun.
For Lavington twins Bec and Tash Bales, 26, it was the first time they’d been since they were 15.
“We used to come every time,” Tash said.
“We just remember having so much fun running around.”
The Bales girls thought this was the perfect year to make a return with friends and family in tow, including Bec’s son Cohan, 6, who was well into the spirit.
“We just thought it would be good to do something different this year that we could do with the whole family,” Bec said.
And that, says AHRC president Jeffrey Hogan, is what makes New Year’s at the racing club such an enduring favourite.
“We were the first club in Australia to run a New Year’s Eve meet, 18 years’ ago,” he said proudly.
“It’s just great family entertainment.
“That’s what it’s about at all our meetings, but especially on New Year’s.”
Aside from the races, crowds enjoyed music all night and rides and activities for the children.
Thurgoona’s Styles and Taylor families were certainly in the swing of things early on.
Shantelle Styles and hubby Kade brought their three children along, while friend Del Taylor brought two of her children.
“It’s always a good atmosphere and it’s great for the kids,” Mrs Styles said
Elsewhere, Albury’s Adam Knight was part of a 16-strong crew of family and friends.
He and mate Joel Price reckoned they were there for “a massive tip” in the first race, but the drinks and company didn’t hurt either.
As for where the best place to be at midnight was?
“I don’t know, probably tucked up in bed I reckon,” Mr Knight said.
“Nah,” Mr Price quipped, “right here”.