Community & Business
9 November, 2023
Goombungee keeps calm and carries on
Despite the cancellation of the Jacaranda Day parade, over 2000 visitors still made the trip to Goombungee on Saturday (November 4) for a day out.
Over 2000 visitors and locals explored the beautiful treescape in Mocatta Street.
Interestingly, the amount of people who attended across the 4 hours were concentrated in one block of the main street, with vintage vehicles parked along the street for all to admire.
Jacaranda Day organiser Denise Iseppi, who made the tough decision to cancel the parade, praised community groups for their efforts.
“The Rosalie Shire Historical Society would like to thank all our community groups, businesses and local suppliers for their understanding during this period,” she said.
“We will be back next year with another amazing festival bigger and better.
“Our businesses and exhibitions had a massive day, and we thank the visitors for coming and supporting them.
“Some visitors and locals bought a picnic to enjoy the day knowing that this would assist.
“We hope that we have demonstrated that small towns can manage this type of event and sensibility will prevail next year when planning commences.
“After all, the planned activities for 2023 were across the length of median strip and to the east of Mocatta St to ensure the visitors were well spread out.
“The Rosalie Shire Historical Society will be opening on the third Saturday of November (18th November) as usual.
“We hope there will be lots of visitors, to help us raise some money to cover the cost of the Traffic Management Plan that we had to do initially.
“Who knows what will be at the Museum to delight the visitors and locals alike,” Denise added, tantalisingly.
“Please keep an eye out on our Facebook page for some of the community groups that missed out on their fundraising stalls on Jacaranda Day but (who)will hold an event in the near future.”
Toowoomba Region Mayor Geoff McDonald attended with his wife Lisa and told the Champion he’d had a great day out.
“It was really good,” he said.
“We started up with Karen at the (Rosalie) Gallery and met Colleen, one of the artists.”
“The paperbark lizard was just incredible.
“Had a scone, Devonshire Tea, caught up with a heap of people (at QCWA Goombungee branch).
“Over 200 scones and 50 Devonshire Teas were prepared!
“We slipped over to the Iron Man Café and caught up with people at the (Not New Op Shop).
“I think what it does show is that communities do appreciate our townships.
“I talked with people who’d come from Brisbane and from Goomburra near Warwick.
“I think it should give confidence to the organisers that the community spirit shone through.
“I look forward to attending the Parade in 2024.”
