October 11, 2016
Visitor numbers at most events in the South Burnett & Cherbourg On Show long weekend were up … which has encouraged organisers.
The organising committee held a debriefing meeting in Murgon on Tuesday to consider reports back from various events.
The good news is that the three-day event appears to be gaining traction outside the region, with visitors coming to the area from all over south-east Queensland.
And there also appeared to be an increase in the number of South Burnett residents taking advantage of the festival to enjoy a holiday at home.
This year was the fifth since the festival was initiated by the South Burnett Wine Industry Association in 2012.
The association wanted to “claim” the newly created October long weekend for the South Burnett in the same way Victoria’s Heathcote wine region has claimed that State’s Queen’s Birthday long weekend with its own Heathcote On Show festival each June.
In 2013, the SBWIA was joined by the South Burnett Tourism Association, and the following year both groups passed control of the event over to a volunteer committee headed by Cr Kathy Duff.
Cherbourg joined the promotion in 2014, and its presence has been expanding ever since.
This year the South Burnett & Cherbourg On Show launched its own website, and now plans to expand its online presence in the year ahead after drawing 3500 visitors in the space of a few weeks.
At the meeting, the committee also drew winners of this year’s festival competition from more than 1000 entry slips visitors had filled in at different venues:
1st – a weekend for two at one of the region’s dams – Mary and Eloy Hunter, Murgon
2nd – a wine and pizza pack from Kingsley Grove Estate winery – Victor Enslin, Hervey Bay.
3rd – a double pass to this year’s Waterhole Rocks Festival in Nanango – Donna Ross, Maryborough
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Murgon Dairy Museum
Visitors to Murgon’s Queensland Dairy & Heritage Museum on the South Burnett & Cherbourg long weekend had the opportunity to step back in time.
A blacksmith was using a mini-forge, there were milking demonstrations (on a pretend cow, as well as the real thing!), working stationery engines and waggons.
The historic buildings were open for browsers, and there was also an opportunity to try whip-cracking … it’s a lot harder that it looks.
Children enjoyed the animal nursery as well as the two dingos from the Durong Dingo Sanctuary.
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The Ration Shed Museum
Another museum, just a few kilometres from the Dairy Museum, also threw open its doors to visitors on the South Burnett & Cherbourg weekend.
The former Ration Shed building at Cherbourg houses displays that take visitors through the history of the former Barambah Mission, and the many achievements of its residents over the years.
Several of the performers at Cherbourg for the Yhurri Gurri Festival took the opportunity on Saturday morning to visit The Ration Shed – and check out some familiar names and faces – before heading to Jack O’Chin Oval to prepare for the concert.
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South Burnett Community Orchestra
South Burnett Community Orchestra held its 10th Anniversary Concert on the Saturday night of the South Burnett & Cherbourg On Show long weekend.
The SBCO was joined by members of the Chinchilla Concert Band for their concert at Kingaroy Town Hall.
The audience enjoyed a program of music from stage and screen, including selections from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, and Les Miserables.
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Maidenwell Folk Festival
The Maidenwell Folk Festival enjoyed a revival in attendance numbers this year.
The Festival – or Gathering as long-time supporters prefer to call it – is a pure acoustic folk event and has been running at the Maidenwell Hotel every October since 2001.
Last year attendance had dwindled a bit but this year it was almost back to its old self after loyal supporters took to the Internet to raise awareness and encourage fellow fans back to the fold.
The majority of guests who attend the festival live in Brisbane, Toowoomba or on the coast, but it has local fans, too.
And they were also out in numbers this year, reviving old friendships and jamming with kindred spirits on the hotel’s balconies and in the main dining room on all three days.
Other South Burnett & Cherbourg On Show events:
