The 2011 Maccabi Junior Carnival is on par to run like clockwork, after representatives from NSW, Queensland, Western Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong met in Melbourne over the weekend to dot and cross the final Is and Ts ahead of January’s festivities in Melbourne.

Carnival management team

Not only was New South Wales Team Manager Justin Shelton raving about the carnival’s organisation, but he was excited to announce a few firsts that will greet the 850 kids this time around.

Carnival is famous for being all about the kids, with social functions as high on the agenda as the daily sport. But in 2001, carnival organisers want the kids to take stock and give a little bit back on the carnival’s first ever “community day”.

400 kids will go to Jewish Care; 150 will work with volunteers in areas affected by the “Black Sunday” bushfires; the rest of the kids will work with the “Coast Care” project that maintains Victoria’s water front. All participants will also chip into the “Food Bank” – by bringing an item of food, and some kids will help distribute these to the needy.

Justin says: “the kids are given a lot – and they are getting a lot this week – it’s their chance to give back”.

The community day will lead into the final night of celebrations, where carnival’s social scene will have its famous foam party.