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.
Tag Archives: woodgate community events
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
Fundraising role supports locals
Eight local community organisations have shared in $10,000 raised by Woodgate Community Events this year. Funds raised by Woodgate Community Events during the Easter fair have been distributed to local emergency medical and transport services, wildlife carers and veterans’ and cancer support. Woodgate Community Events president Lesley Christensen says one of the core values of the organisation is to support those who care for and support the local community. “Woodgate Community Events proudly organises three key events for our community to enjoy each year, and we take the fundraising role of our events seriously. “While we do seek financial support via our event sponsors and the Bundaberg Regional Council to run these events, our fundraising efforts are for the direct benefit of the community. “Up to 10,000 people attended the Easter@Woodgate Fair this year – a fantastic turnout – and our fundraiser raffles and food stalls were generously supported. “We are very happy to be able to pass this generosity onto some vital and very much appreciated services. “All of the recipient organisations are essential in our small community, whether they provide frontline care or raise awareness about issues affecting our lives and community,” Lesley said. The Arts in Spring festival is next on the Woodgate Community Events calendar. Held over the October long weekend, the annual arts-based festival offers a taste of fine art alongside fun-art, markets and music. “We’d love to see a big crowd come along to experience our curated art exhibition this year. The artists and creative talent on display will surprise and delight. “You can mingle at the exhibition gala opening or bring the family and join in our activities in the park and markets over the weekend,” Lesley said. “Of course, don’t forget to buy a raffle ticket or a hamburger at the Community Events marquees and help support our community.” Donations were provided to: Woodgate Community Bus Inc committee members Kev Finnigan (left), Margaret Featherstone, Lynne Beresford (centre) and Sharon Davies (right) were presented with a cheque from Woodgate Community Events’ Marion Woodland and Lesley Christensen. First Responders Barb Liddell and Dorothea Calder take the cash from Lesley Christensen and Raeleen Cahill. Norman Anderson from Forest View Childers Inc. accepted a cheque from Lucy Smith and Lesley Christensen. The funds will to go towards their fundraising for a bus. Woodgate Community Events’ Beth Clarke-Coolle and Lesley Christensen with Mothers’ Day Classic organisers Rosemarie Kirby and Jenni Cole. Wildlife warrior, Tammy Florager accepted the cheque on behalf of Woodgate and Surrounds Wildlife Rescue. Community Events Committee members from left Beth, Raeleen, Anne, Lesley and Gail (seated) handed over $2,500 to Suzanne Weir, organiser of Wodogate’s Biggest Morning Tea.