Helping Woodgate keep cool at community events

Visitors to community events in Woodgate will be able to beat the heat this year with the help of a Stronger Communities grant from the Federal Government.

Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said Woodgate Community Events Inc had been awarded $5036 to purchase five marquees.

“These marquees will provide shelter during a number of annual events held in Woodgate each year such as Australia Day celebrations and Easter at Woodgate,” Mr Pitt said.

“I congratulate Woodgate Community Events Inc on their successful application and for contributing a further $5036 of their own funds.”

Woodgate Community Events Inc president Rae Scott said it was wonderful to have the marquees for the events which continue to grow.

The organisation was established in September 2011 to promote tourism and organise events to enhance the quality of community life.

Woodgate Community Events Inc organises Australia Day, Easter at Woodgate and Woodgate Arts in Spring.

Easter at Woodgate is a four-day family entertainment weekend including movies, church services and a festival/market day which attracts over 9500 visitors and 500 participants.

Woodgate Arts in Spring is a cultural weekend of visual and performing arts culminating in a family craft/market day which 2000 visitors attended.

“We’ve had lot of enquiries about these events this year, so we’re expecting them to be bigger than ever,” Mrs Scott said.

Other community groups – including the Woodgate RSL, Woodgate Singers, Woodgate Rural Fire Brigade and Woodgate SES – will also have access to the equipment which will improve the efficiency of staging events in Woodgate and reducing rental and transportation costs.

“I can see them being used for Anzac Day as it’s out in the open, and they’ll need to provide shelter and seating,” she said.

“The marquees will provide a valuable resource, making it easier to run festivals since equipment is currently hired and sourced from Bundaberg and Childers,” Mrs Scott said.

Through the Stronger Communities Program, eligible community groups can apply for grants of between $5000 and $20,000 for small capital projects. All applications need to commit at least matching funding or in-kind contributions.

Each Federal Electorate is allocated $150,000 a year over two years. Applications for Round Two will close on April 1. For more information go to www.infrastructure.gov.au/SCP