Maryborough New Year’s Eve events to be combined

The popular New Year’s Eve celebrations organised by the Brolga Theatre and Maryborough Cricket Club will be combined this year.

Fraser Coast Regional Councillor Paul Truscott said Council would partner with the Maryborough Cricket Club to extend their popular annual event to midnight and assist with the cost of providing entertainment.

“Delivering major events like what was proposed at the Brolga Theatre for New Year’s Eve is challenging in the COVID-19 environment, particularly with new vaccination status rules proposed to take effect from 17 December 2021 for theatre venues,” he said.

“By moving the event and having one main event for Maryborough on New Year’s Eve, Council is supporting a community group that does not have the same limitations and we are helping the group to grow their capacity.”

Under the current and proposed Queensland Government Public Health Directions, anyone can attend Christmas Carols or New Year’s events if it is an unticketed, outdoor community event (e.g. movie in the park, carols in the park, New Year’s Eve fireworks on the beach).

“The festive season celebrations are important, especially this year as some restrictions ease and families are able to spend time together again,” Cr Truscott said.

“As a community we have been through a lot and it’s feels pretty good to be able to come together with friends and families to celebrate.”

Council will contribute $7,000 towards the Maryborough New Year’s Eve event, which also gained $2,000 under the Fraser Coast Regional Council Community Festive Events and Small Township Festive Decorations programs.

“The grants enable clubs and organisations to decorate and stage events for the whole of the community to enjoy during the Christmas and New Year period,” Cr Truscott said.

Projects sharing in $14,250 grants under the Community Festive Events Program include:

• Maryborough District Cricket Association New Year’s Eve family fun fair, $2,000;
• Burrum District Community Centre Association Howard Christmas Twilight Market, $2,000;
• UCA Hervey Bay Parish Burrum Heads Community Carols, $500;
• Fraser Coast Family Networks Christmas Celebration, $2,000;
• Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre Community Christmas Market, $2,000;
• Bauple and District Recreation Ground Association, Bauple Community Christmas Party, $2,000;
• Torbanlea State School P&C Association, Torbanlea Community Christmas Carols, $1,990;
• Glenwood Progress Association Christmas Fair/Carols by Candlelight, $1,250;
• Fraser Coast Malayalee Association, Christmas and New Year celebration, $500;

Projects sharing in $6,517.61 under the Small Township Festive Decorations Program include:

• Burrum District Community Centre Association Youth Group Christmas Lights, $1,925.61;
• Tinnanbar Progress Association, The Fire Shed Shindig, $1,950;
• Maaroom Progress and Ratepayers Association, Making Maaroom Magic, $717, and;
• Tiaro and District Chamber of Commerce, Welcome to the Fraser Coast, $6,517.61.

More information on Council’s grants programs is available at www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/grants