Woodgate festival a time to celebrate

Woodgate is set to come alive this October long weekend as the Woodgate Community Centre and park transform into a vibrant celebration of art, music, and community spirit. Running from 4 to 7 October, the annual Woodgate Arts Spring Festival promises an exciting array of activities that will make the coastal town buzz with energy and creativity. Kicking off with eleganceThe festivities begin on Friday with the highly anticipated Gala opening. Glam up for an evening of celebration featuring a curated art exhibition showcasing stunning fine art pieces available for sale throughout the weekend. The Gala will include an art auction with a standout work by Kelly Hazzard, along with captivating performances by Al Davies and a mesmerizing fire performer. To top it all off, savour plenty of delicious canapés crafted by Trevor Green, ensuring a memorable start to the festival. Family fun and entertainmentSaturday is packed with family-friendly activities. Visit the art exhibition and the Youth Art exhibition and vote for the People’s Choice, then check out the art in the park, cultural displays and face painting from 10 am to 4 pm. Enjoy a tasty barbecue and live music from 3pm, the incredible Abigail Williams, Lachlan Grant, and the Abby Skye Band are set to shine with powerful performances set to impress. Don’t forget to bring a picnic rug and grab a steak burger from the Community BBQ! On Sunday, take a peaceful break with art and yoga session and guided nature walks along the picturesque Banksia Boardwalk, immersing yourself in the natural beauty of Woodgate Beach. Visit the art exhibition and the Youth Art exhibition and vote for the People’s Choice, then activities continue in the park with a variety of art and cultural displays, face painting and a tasty sausage sizzle from 10 am to 4 pm. Beachside market marvelsThe festival wraps up on Monday morning with a bustling beachside market and Vintage car display by the Bundaberg Vintage Vehicle Club. Discover an array of delicious food and unique treasures as you explore the stalls and experience the magic of Woodgate firsthand. Join us this October long weekend for a celebration that highlights the best of Woodgate. From artistic marvels and live entertainment to nature walks and vibrant markets, there’s something for everyone at the Woodgate Arts in Spring Festival. Don’t miss out on this spectacular community event.

Readers rejoice

Looking for the perfect book to take to the beach and read under the warm sunshine? Here’s three ways you can pick up a best-seller or classic right here in Woodgate. 1 On the last Tuesday of each month between 8:45 and 11:30 am an amazing event happens at our Community Hall. What is it I hear you ask? Well, it’s a small group of hard working people who come together to present the best “reuse, recycle, re-love” event ever…Just Books! This year’s recipients of Woodgate’s Australia Day Community Group of the Year, Just Books have been selling pre-loved, donated books to the community for many years, donating the proceeds to community organisations including local volunteer emergency services, wildlife rescue and the Woodgate Community Bus. Di, Scott, Shandra, Denis and Jean along with the help of a few volunteers put out tables laden with per-loved books, puzzles and children’s books all available for purchase. All it will set you back is $2 for a book or puzzle or $2 for five children’s books. Judging by the response from locals we have some prolific readers among us! Just BooksWoodgate CommunityLast Tuesday of the month8:45 am – 11:30 am 2 If the offerings at Just Books just aren’t enough, you can also visit the Woodgate Library. Gone are the days when a visit to the Library meant dusty shelves and being super quiet! No longer the realm of books alone, today you can access movies, music, audio books, ebooks and even TV shows. Ebooks and audio books are available for loan straight to your phone or tablet via the Borrow Box app . If you like the feel of a ‘real’ book in your hand, the Woodgate Library offers selections from every genre, fiction and non-fiction, large print, children’s books – you name it you can get it at the local Library. The Woodgate Library is part of Bundaberg Regional Council’s Libraries and is free to become a member. If you’re chasing a particular book or author, you can book it online or phone the Library to order. Woodgate LibraryWoodgate Community Hall (room at the front)Wednesday’s, 10 am – 2 pmFree to residents of the Bundaberg area. 3 And, if you’ve missed the Just Books sale and the Library is closed, you can always borrow a read from the Woodgate Street Library! Located at the front of the Community Park the book exchange was installed by the Woodgate and District Residents Association for residents and visitors to borrow and share pre-loved books. You can travel the world, climb the highest mountain and solve the greatest mystery all in the pages of a book. Woodgate Street LibraryWoodgate Community Park Esplanade & Seventh Avenue Photo: Woodgate and District Residents Association

But, what is there to do in Woodgate? #2

The second blog in this “what is there to do” series … Tennis! Have you been inspired by the Australian Open? Think you’d like to give tennis a go? Well you can. The Woodgate Tennis Club is a dedicated group of players who meet twice a week for a social game of tennis and have been doing so for over forty years! Join club members for a game on Tuesday or Thursday mornings, from 7-9 am or hire the court for your own hit out with family and friends. Tennis Club membership is $20 per year, with a Pickleball Club membership included. Cost per game is $4 for members, $6.00 non members. The public, Council-owned courts are located on Seventh Avenue. You can hire the courts at the General Store (on the Esplanade). A great way to spend a morning among a group of friendly welcoming players. Photos: Lesley Christensen

But, what is there to do in Woodgate?

A new resident to Woodgate recently remarked that he was leaving Woodgate as there was nothing to do once you were over fishing and beach walking! He said he had made no friends, no one came to visit, and had no near neighbours as both sides of him were holiday rentals. Moving to a small town can be isolating – and maybe you’re the loner type and that’s OK – but Woodgate boasts a host of community groups, clubs, sports and social groups you can try out if you’re looking for a little engagement. Woodgate Community Events is going to profile some of these, so here we go… What is there to do in Woodgate #1? Pickleball Pickleball is an American sport and one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Enjoyed by young and old and the skilled and not so skilled, it is a net sport which uses paddles and a plastic ball. Visit Pickleball Australia for more info. The Woodgate Pickleball Club started just over 12 months ago and are having a blast enjoying this new sport. If you’d like to check it out, head to the courts on Seventh Avenue on Saturdays from 7-9 am or Sundays from 4:30-6 pm. Club Membership is $20 per year adults, $15 children under 15 years (pickleball & tennis). Cost per game is $4 for members, $6.00 non members. All are welcome to come along and join the fun, always someone to teach you how to play the game. What else is there to do in Woodgate? Scroll up! Photos: Lesley Christensen