After it was postponed earlier in the year, the inaugural Goldfields Community Festival is now just around the corner and is set to make its mark on the local community, with free activities, music, art, games and information for the whole family. 

Now just a few weeks away, the Goldfields Community Festival — Connect and Celebrate is being delivered by Go Goldfields as initiator and major sponsor, in partnership with the Committee for Maryborough, Maryborough Rotary and the Central Goldfields Shire Council. 

Expected to be a resounding success, the festival will feature music, art, games, rides, information and activities for the community and was developed in response to local families seeking more free, family oriented activities locally. 

Maryborough District Health Service will also host a First Nations tent with activities and a yarning circle, with a Dja Dja Wurrung Elder to perform a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony to open the festival. 

It’s hoped the festival will attract a high number of locals and provide a rare and unique opportunity for local community groups and services to engage with the community, recruit new members and offer information in a fun and relaxed environment. 

Go Goldfields leadership table chair Rebecca Hanley said the festival was a great opportunity for the community to come together in a fun and playful environment to connect, relax, be inspired and learn more about all the great services and initiatives available in the shire.

“The event is about coming together, being able to reconnect post-COVID and to celebrate the wonderful community we have here,” she said. 

“It’s very exciting to have events happening again and this will be the perfect way to celebrate the Central Goldfields and a chance for residents new and old to come together.”

Local resident Rebecca Davies said she was excited for the festival, as it would be an opportunity for the community to connect. 

“It’s great to have family friendly activities that involve the whole community,” she said. 

“After COVID it’s been so hard for people to get out and get back together so it will be nice to be able to see others and connect with what’s going on in the community.” 

The festival is supported by the Victorian Government, Go Goldfields, Committee for Maryborough, Maryborough Rotary, Central Goldfields Shire Council, Maryborough District Health Service and Community Bank Avoca, Maryborough and St Arnaud. 

Committee for Maryborough executive officer and festival coordinator Kerrie Dowling said the festival will be a great family-friendly day out.

“There will be tents and displays from the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation, Supported Playgroups, Maryborough Field Naturalists, Maternal and Child Health, the 32 day Challenge, The Nest and FReeZA just to name a few,” she said. 

“There will also be plenty of kids’ activities, entertainment and great food — all of which will be free.

“The community bus will also be doing free pick-ups from Carisbrook, Talbot and Dunolly to ensure anyone and everyone can come along.” 

The Goldfields Community Festival will take place on Saturday, October 15 from 11 am until 4 pm at Phillips Gardens, Maryborough.