General News
4 April, 2024
Rheola Charity Carnival raises over $20,000 for local hospitals, hall and reserve
The 151st Rheola Charity Carnival has been heralded a success, with thousands at Rheola Pioneers Reserve enjoying the variety of country entertainment on Easter Monday. Over 2000 people enjoyed the festivities, generating over $20,000 in gate...
The 151st Rheola Charity Carnival has been heralded a success, with thousands at Rheola Pioneers Reserve enjoying the variety of country entertainment on Easter Monday.
Over 2000 people enjoyed the festivities, generating over $20,000 in gate returns, with concession sales and raffle tickets still to be added to the days’ total.
The overall profit of the event will be distributed and donated to the hospitals in Inglewood and Dunolly, as well as the Rheola Public Hall and Pioneers Reserve.
For the second year running, organisers held their breath hoping weather wouldn’t dampen proceedings — but just like last year, committee member Leesa Catto said they experienced wonderful conditions for a wonderful day.
“The rain thankfully didn’t affect the event at all — I think the weather gods were looking down on us and controlling the weather,” she said.
“It was just an amazing day, great crowd as always and to see all the people and the community spirit of looking after each other is just wonderful to see.”
The carnival was packed with classic events such as the tractor pull, dog trials, children’s races, woodchop and pony showcase.
Ms Catto said while she is always delighted to see the popular events return, she was most proud of the newest additions to the carnival.
“The highlight for me was how the new Telstra service enabled us to have ABC Radio’s Country Hourbroadcast live from the event for the first time ever,” she said.
“We did a live cross to ABC Radio in Melbourne, we were talking to them and it was being broadcast statewide.
“ABC journalist Warrick Long will be coming back next year, he had a ball — to have that level of coverage is huge for us.”
Upon reflection on the event, Ms Catto was grateful to everyone who made the carnival possible, and is excited to bring the wider community back to Rheola soon.
“I want to thank all of the sponsors, the volunteers and everyone that came,” she said.
“We had over 120 volunteers making the event possible and we have got a population of 50 — they give up months of their time planning for this carnival to make sure the reserve, the events and the food is all ready.
“Planning for 2025 was underway before we had finished this carnival and we are planning for the next 150 years of [the reserve].
“We hope to continue this event forever, but we are looking at how we can improve these facilities to make more use of them, and bring the community together all year round.”
