Trailer makes event set-up a breeze

A new trailer to transport marquees will make setting up for community events much easier for one local group thanks to a Stronger Communities Program grant from the Federal Government.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt congratulated Woodgate Community Events which received $2,570 under round three of the popular program.

“Woodgate Community Events organise a number of annual events which require the set-up of six marquees. The new trailer will mean the marquees can be moved around easily,” Mr Pitt said.

“The Stronger Communities Program has been a boost for community groups and organisations like Woodgate Community Events that would otherwise struggle to fund these types of improvements.”

Woodgate Community Events project manager Tony Whiley said the marquees are stored in a facility some distance from the events venue and are currently transported relying on access to volunteers utes.

“The marquees require a minimum of two people to lift each one and six people for erection. There is excess handling in loading and unloading marquees at the storage facility each time they are used,” Dr Whiley said.

“The acquisition of the trailer will reduce heavy lifting by 50 percent for each activity/event, lower the risk of damage to marquees due to reduced and easier handling, and improve access for all groups to our equipment since only a tow vehicle will be required.”

Woodgate Community Events organise Australia Day events, Easter at Woodgate Fair and Woodgate Arts in Spring. The marquees and trailer will also be used by Woodgate RSL, Woodgate Singers, Woodgate Rural Fire Brigade and Woodgate SES.

The Stronger Communities Program offered eligible community groups grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 for small capital projects. All applications need to commit at least matching funding or in-kind contributions.