January 1, 2016
There was no excuse not to have a good time in the South Burnett on New Year’s Eve with fun events scheduled in most towns.
Nanango led the way with its inaugural New Year’s Eve Mardi Gras, organised by the Funfest Committee.
The re-boot of the old town festival attracted a big crowd to the Nanango Showgrounds to enjoy live music, hot food, children’s rides and two fireworks displays.
Many of the family groups left after the 8:00pm fireworks, only to be replaced by an older crowd eager to enjoy the live music and drinks from the bar.
The official culmination of the evening was the fireworks at midnight.
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Pro-Rata Reunion
In Kingaroy, the reunion of Pro Rata – after a 25-year break – attracted a big crowd to the Carrollee Hotel.
The one-off gig brought back together Darren Schmidt, Paul Biltoft, Noel Schmidt, Murray Harney and Russell Nugent to belt out a suite of rock and roll favourites.
Pro-Rata were Kingaroy favourites 30 years ago, and many of their former fans and school friends were in the audience.
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Goomeri Rodeo
Goomeri’s New Year’s Eve rodeo is a traditional South Burnett end-of-year family event which always attracts a good crowd to Goomeri Showgrounds.
Entrants competed in a string of events for good cash prizes, including steer wrestling, barrel races, rope and ties, bareback and saddle rides, and junior events.
The main event on the evening was the bull ride which had a $1000 prize purse.
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(Video by Alicia Pidgeon)
