A day of celebration at Gundiah Community Picnic

The community of Gundiah is set to come together later this month through music, food and artist workshops to prepare for the upcoming wet season and celebrate the restoration of Gundiah Community Place.

Fraser Coast Regional Councillor Phil Truscott said Council will host a Community Picnic in Gundiah on Saturday, August 31 as part of a disaster resilience and recovery initiative designed to bring people together.

“We have already hosted Community Picnics in Glenwood, Tiaro, and Maryborough this year, with Gundiah coming up in August and the final one scheduled for Bauple in November,” he said.

"These final two community picnics will be wonderful opportunities for the community to connect, enjoy live entertainment, savour some delicious food, and participate in workshops hosted by fantastic local artists and artisans.

"While it’s been two years since our last major floods, natural disasters can strike at any time, so it’s crucial for our community to come together, connect, form friendships, and feel more united in the face of these challenges.

“Community Place will also be open for residents and visitors for the first time to walk through for the first time since it was damaged in the 2022 floods, said Cr Truscott.

“Thanks to Council and The Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport’s Community and Recreational Assets Recovery and Resilience Grant Program, this building has now been restored and is almost ready for the community to enjoy once more.”

Gundiah Hall Committee member Sandi Kelly said the funding has allowed us to install a new kitchen and appliances, polish the floor, paint the inside, replace the roof, install new toilets and buy new equipment.

“We are so grateful to Council and State Government for the grants that have helped us rejuvenate the hall and grounds, she said.

“The oval is shared by the school and the community, and Gundiah Community Place is the sporting hub of Gundiah which is now available for hire and community use.

Cr Truscott said the Gundiah Community Picnic will take place from 1pm to 4pm on Saturday August 31 at 13 Gundiah School Road and will include:

·         Live music from Leonie Kingdom;

·         Free artist workshops from Nancy Brown (expressive patterns), Zela Bissett (flood reflections) and Catriona Holland (Bureau of Meteorology weather collage);

·         Food and drinks including a community BBQ from the Gundiah Hall Committee, treats from the local CWA and barista coffee from Mooloo Coffee.

The final community picnic will be held in Bauple, November 2.

If you’d like to find out more about hiring The Community Place or to have a stall at the Community Picnic, contact Sandi Kelly from the Gundiah Hall Committee at 0400 442 118.

The Fraser Coast community picnics are jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.