General News
17 October, 2025
Broadway’s vibes to be better than ever
In just over one week, Vibes on Broadway will return to Dunolly, promising a weekend of rhythms and regional magic.
This year’s return of the Vibes festival will bring music and history to the town in an even bigger street parade.
Broadway from Bull Street to Thompson Street will be closed to traffic for the family-friendly event throwing back to the golden days of small country towns.
Goldfields Music Club’s (GMC) president Andy Ball said the free event will be making a bigger and better return following last year’s success.
“Last year’s event was the first time we had the parade, and it was a total success, the whole town enjoyed it. There was local music, local talent, all of the traders were busy, it was a successful day, so we thought we would make it bigger and better this year,” he said.
This year’s community street parade will feature local groups including Golden Triangle Arches, Central Victorian Lions team, Dunolly Primary School, Castlemaine Highland Pipe Band, belly dancers, the Prospecting Miners Association Victoria (PMAV) and some first time special guests leading the parade.
Parade organiser Nat Conlin said while music will continue throughout the day, other events will spread out through the town.
“There is a lot of community involvement, the hall will have the art prize from the primary school, a new addition called arts and authors, face painting, and the PMAV will have panning. There will also be some really interesting market stalls,” she said.
The festival’s program will include a book launch, historical selfies, face painting, a local market and street food.
To accompany PMAV, President of the Goldfields Historical and Arts society John Tully will also be conducting history tours.
GMC also said some surprise events will take place at the festival, and won’t be announced until the day.
GMC’s Deb Callander said last year’s event was met with overwhelming support from the community, and even saw recognition on Australia Day earlier this year as Dunolly’s Community Group of the Year.
“One of our biggest achievements was having the total community support, and then getting an Australia Day award. It was our event that won that for the community, and that was a bit of a surprise to us all and such an encouragement to keep going,” she said.
“The feedback last year was very positive, the businesses were flat out so they were very happy, the extra influx of people was fantastic.”
Ms Conlin agrees. She said what began as a gathering for local musicians and music lovers, has gradually become the much loved event, continuing to grow.
“It’s been a really organic growth, the music club was formed a few years ago and became incorporated so we could go for grants, we did a lot of fundraising,” she said.
“In the first year, we were on the pavement with just music, and we have worked up with more people coming on board, it’s completely run by volunteers.”
Mr Ball said the festival has attracted visitors from far beyond the goldfields.
“People have travelled to come to us, people from Ballarat, Bendigo, even Dimboola. That is what it is all about, a family community of music, and what has evolved from that. It’s an outlet for everyone,” he said.
He said there are endless sponsors GMC is grateful for.
“The Railway Hotel social club has been a fantastic supporter of the Goldfields Music Club, helping us out to raise funds, they gave a huge donation, all the traders here have supported us. One of the great sponsors of Vibes is the Bendigo Bank and the shire, very big supporters of what we do, and we thank them,” Mr Ball said.
The Vibes street festival will take place from 9 am to 3 pm on Sunday, October 26 in Dunolly’s town centre.