Gallery: Woombye rediscovers the joy of a real town festival
Woombye has rediscovered the power of an old-fashioned town festival – and proved the community had been missing it more than anyone realised.
Festival Director Milo Frawley estimates between 2000-3000 people flowed through Sunday’s Woombye Festival, a clear step up from last year’s 1500.
Drone shots captured only snapshots in time. But what really counted, Mr Frawley said, was the visible delight across the grounds. “There’s no doubt in my mind that it comes under the umbrella of successful – very successful,” he said. “You’ve got different metrics to measure that by, but probably the most important is the laughter, the smiling faces and just seeing the pure joy.”
The festival, held on Sunday May 3, brought together families, schools, performers, local businesses, food trucks, the bowls club, volunteers and the now much-loved Patch the Pineapple in a celebration that stretched across generations.
Mr Frawley said the move away from the old Happy Days event and into the Woombye Festival format had proved to be the right one. “Ultimately, it was the right move,” he said.
“Clearly this is what our community was seeking. This is a void that has been filled. It has really scratched their itch for something that is community proud and that they can access without having to delve into their pockets every few minutes.”
The strong family turnout was no accident. Schools were involved through an art competition, choirs and local acting groups, which performed in the main hall during band breaks.
“That was incredibly well supported by the schools, and the children brought their parents and their grandparents,” Mr Frawley said. “So it really generated that community support and feeling that we were looking for.”
There was no shortage of activity outside either, with a kids zone, bar, six food trucks, and the Woombye Bowls Club running a bowls obstacle course to introduce children to lawn bowls.
Three food trucks sold out. “I think we caught them off guard with how popular we are,” Mr Frawley said. “But they will know for next year!”
Patch the Pineapple also became one of the festival’s big hits, with many people keen to meet the personable mascot and have a photo taken.
“Patch is so glad. The whole community likes Patch and we’re glad Patch is there,” Mr Frawley said. “It will be a permanent feature now for sure in Woombye. Expect to see plenty more of Patch.”
Another centrepiece was the colourful Woombye sign created by local children. “It’s a work of art,” Mr Frawley said. “If I was a kid driving past seeing that, and I had been involved, I think that would make me so proud.”
Mr Frawley said about 50 volunteers helped make the festival happen, with only one paid person involved in the whole event. “Everyone else is community people just stepping forward saying, ‘This is a good thing and I want to see good things for Woombye’,” he said.
“That warms your heart. Good old-fashioned community spirit is there, at a time when finding volunteers is becoming harder and harder.”
He said 26 businesses, organisations, and people were recognised on the festival media wall for exceptional support, with Community Bank Woombye (Bendigo) leading the way, alongside supporters including Allcast Plunge Pools, Steps Fitness in Burnside, Sunshine Coast Council, Cr Winston Johnston OAM, and the QLD Gambling Community Benefit Fund.
Mr Frawley said the festival had shown what was possible when a town backed itself.
“I don’t think I realised how present that was until yesterday, where I could see ages from little babies to the oldest of citizens getting around and everyone in between coming, watching, playing, participating,” he said.
“There were no negative incidents. It was just good, honest, clean, pure fun.”
And after a long weekend that left him weary, aching and still facing a final clean-up, Mr Frawley said the result was worth it.
“We’re looking forward to next year,” he said.
Images courtesy of Ray Cash Photography
