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General News

27 March, 2024

Something for everyone at 151st charity carnival

Thousands of visitors are ready to flock to the small town of Rheola this Easter Monday for the 151st Rheola Charity Carnival. Since 1871, the Rheola community has hosted the carnival as a celebration of country entertainment, with the 150th...

By Maryborough Advertiser

The 151st Rheola Charity Carnival is expeted to bring thousands of visitors to Rheola this Easter Monday.
The 151st Rheola Charity Carnival is expeted to bring thousands of visitors to Rheola this Easter Monday.

Thousands of visitors are ready to flock to the small town of Rheola this Easter Monday for the 151st Rheola Charity Carnival.

Since 1871, the Rheola community has hosted the carnival as a celebration of country entertainment, with the 150th Anniversary last year generating a record profit of $60,000 following three consecutive cancellations due to COVID.

With a population of 50, the event relies solely on volunteers such as Ellen Roberts, who said the carnival has been an important day for nearly her whole life.

“I have been a part of the carnival for most of my life, I started helping when I was 15 in the drinks van and now I’m 89,” she said.

“I always look forward to everyone coming back every year and catching up with them, a lot just come back to town for the carnival so it is always great to see them.

“The community has done a wonderful job to keep the event going for so many years even with the small community we have.”

A key family responsible for the longevity of the carnival is the Catto family, whose roots are embedded deeply into the event.

“I grew up in Rheola, so I was involved all the time and everyone in the family was involved too,” Rheola Charity Carnival committee member Leesa Catto said.

“Our great-grandfather who came from Scotland is one of the pioneers of the district and was involved in starting [the carnival].

“My dad was the president, my brother currently is, my mother has worked on the committee and it’s not just Catto, there’s other families that are the same, it is really special.”

The profit generated from last year’s event was distributed between the local Dunolly and Inglewood hospitals, the Rheola Public Hall and the Rheola Pioneers Reserve.

Ms Catto said the tradition of donating the carnival’s revenue to local services is something she, and the community, prides itself on.

“It’s about looking after our community. This year CFA donation boxes will be scattered across the counters, the Carisbrook Lions Club will have can and bottle collection bins around the place so they can get the money back on them as well,” she said.

“It started with the hospitals, which is continuing to this day and has blossomed into raising money for whatever is needed in the community.

“To me, how we should be living our lives is by helping the community and pitching in as much as possible.”

While the carnival will boast its usual events such as the sheep dog trials, woodchopping events, Rheola Gift, Indigenous artefacts, vintage car display and much more, the event will also introduce internet and mobile phone coverage in partnership with Telstra and Warwick Long broadcasting the event on ABC Radio program County Hour.

Ms Catto said these two new additions will allow the carnival to be bigger and better than ever.

“I’m excited to see Warwick Long broadcasting live this year, it’s fantastic to have ABC Radio on board to talk about the event,” she said.

“We are pleased that we are able to get Telstra on board this year, the internet and phone service in Rheola is very poor, so they are coming out to install a temporary tower.

“The atmosphere is fantastic every year and there is something for everyone to enjoy.”

The Rheola Charity Carnival is happening this Easter Monday, April 1 at the Rheola Public Hall and Recreation Reserve.

Entry is $10 for adults with children under the age of 14 entering for free. Cash is recommended for the majority of stalls at the event.

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