Cracking Carnival

Organisers of the New Year’s Eve carnival held in Cohuna say they are pleased with the popularity of the event. The three-day event treated residents and tourists to a carnival atmosphere usually associated with beachside holiday destinations. The Cohuna and District Progress Association cancelled the regular New Year’s Eve celebration in August amid concerns that COVID-19 restrictions would prevent the event from taking place.  

A few weeks out from the new year and with the COVID-19 landscape improving, committee members saw the potential to host an event to entertain locals and the large number of visitors Cohuna attracts during the holiday season. The three-day carnival, rides and permits were pulled together within a week. “These guys have been really good, they’ve worked in with us, they moved very quickly to get all these rides here,” Progress Association president, Andrew Gibbs said. 

To ensure COVID-19-compliance, public service announcements were made every half an hour and visitors were asked to check in to the event, regularly use the hand sanitising stations positioned throughout Garden Park and socially distance. 

While patrons paid for rides on New Year’s Eve, leftover drought funding from the Federal Government Drought Communities was secured to provide the following two nights’ entertainment free of charge. Visitors and locals enjoyed the cha-cha, dodgem cars, giant slide and teacups, along with showbags, face painting, sideshows and catering provided by local community groups and businesses. “They’ve been fantastic, they’ve all had a good time,” Mr Gibbs said.

Progress Association secretary and main instigator of the event, Sonia Wright, said, “The whole idea is to try and activate the town as a destination, spread the word that we have a lot to offer and support our local businesses. The Lions are being paid for their role as COVID-19 officers with drought funding so that goes back into the community. We’ve hired the sanitisers from Neighbourhood House so that also goes back into the community.”

Mr Eade, a carnival operator was thrilled with the organisation of the event and the response from the community. While he owns and usually operates several rides, he has been appointed the COVID-19 officer, ensuring patrons adhere to COVID-19 regulations. “Everything just runs smoothly, we’ve had no trouble from anyone,” he said. The carnival was a welcome reprieve from a year of no work, with COVID-19 causing the cancellation of events they would usually attend in Victoria and interstate. “Some of these operators haven’t worked for 12 months. COVID-19 has affected us badly, very badly,” he said. 

Whether the usual format will return next year is unknown. A lack of volunteer and financial resources is forcing a rethink of the event, and with the high cost of fireworks and entertainment, and the usual fireworks site no longer available, this carnival format may be repeated next year. “If they’re happy to do it, it may be a different option for New Year’s Eve going forward. As a group we need to look at what is sustainable, what brings the most benefit and it has to be something that we can manage financially and volunteer wise. The Association needs to look at how it can raise $12,000. We don’t know what the next New Year’s Eve will bring but we welcome feedback from the community,” Mrs Wright said.