“The practice of decorating eggshells is quite ancient, with decorated and engraved ostrich eggs found in Africa which are 60,000 years old. In the early cultures of Egypt, Mesopotamia and Crete, eggs were associated with death and rebirth, as well as with kingship. Decorated ostrich eggs, and representations of ostrich eggs in gold and silver, were commonly placed in graves of the ancient Sumerians and Egyptians as early as 5,000 years ago.

The use of eggs at Easter seems to have come from Persia into the Greek Christian Churches of Mesopotamia, thence to Russia and Siberia through the medium of Orthodox Christianity. From the Greek Church the custom was adopted by either the Roman Catholics or the Protestants and then spread through Europe.

Although one of the Christian traditions is to use dyed or painted chicken eggs, a modern custom is to substitute chocolate eggs, or plastic eggs filled with sweets. Many people give up sweets as their Lenten sacrifice, so individuals enjoy them at Easter after having abstained from them during the preceding forty days of Lent.

Chocolate eggs first appeared at the court of Louis XIV in Versailles and in 1725 the widow Giambone in Turin started producing chocolate eggs by filling empty chicken eggshells with molten chocolate. In 1873 J.S. Fry & Sons of England introduced the first chocolate Easter egg in Britain. Manufacturing their first Easter egg in 1875, Cadbury created the modern chocolate Easter egg after developing a pure cocoa butter that could be moulded into smooth shapes.

In Western cultures, the giving of chocolate eggs is now commonplace, with billions of Easter eggs sold around the world.

In Australia an alternative is the Easter Bilby, created to raise awareness of conservation, with the introduced rabbit damaging the environment. Easter Bunny is a folkloric figure who brings Easter eggs. Originating among German Lutherans, the “Easter Hare” originally had the roll of judge, deciding whether children had been good or bad (like Santa Claus today).”

(Source – Wikipedia)

Fun Attractions For Children

From the thrills of go kart racing and indoor climbing, to a more sedate round of mini golf, to illusions and mind-bending experiences, there are lots of fun attractions and activities for all ages on Phillip Island during the upcoming school holidays.

Fun Attractions on Phillip Island

Go Karting at Phillip Island Circuit

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Phillip Island Beach Patrols

Easter weekend is traditionally the end of the summer period on Phillip Island.

This weekend is the last for our beaches to be patrolled by lifesavers from Woolamai Surf and Life Saving Club.

We thank them for looking after us this summer and hope to see them next summer!

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End of Daylight Saving

Daylight saving in eastern Australia ends on Sunday, April 5.

Before you go to bed Saturday night, turn your clocks back one hour.

Of course, if you just use your smart phone, the time will automatically change.

With the shift, sunrise and sunset will happen one hour earlier, meaning brighter mornings when we get up (yay!) but darker evenings (not so good!).

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April 3/5 – Easter Eggstravaganza on Churchill Island

April 4 – Island Foreshore Market

April 5, 12, 19 & 26 – Cowes Sunday Market

April 11 – Island Craft Market

April 18 – Newhaven Market

April 19 – Phillip Island Jazz Club

April 25 – Market on Church

May 2 – Churchill Island Farmers Market

Phillip Island Events

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