{"id":344021,"date":"2024-02-15T21:54:38","date_gmt":"2024-02-15T11:54:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=344021"},"modified":"2024-02-15T21:54:38","modified_gmt":"2024-02-15T11:54:38","slug":"no-bunya-mountains-dinner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2024\/02\/15\/no-bunya-mountains-dinner\/","title":{"rendered":"No Bunya Mountains Dinner"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Guests at Dinner Under The Stars were treated to a three-course meal, a silent auction and a tour of the night skies when the event kicked off in 2021, and it quickly mushroomed over the next two years … but rising costs and the lack of a wet-weather venue have forced its cancellation this year (Photo: Cr Scott Henschen)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

February 15, 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n

After three successful outings, the Bunya Mountains Community Association Inc (BMCAI) has confirmed\u00a0 it will not be running its popular “Dinner Under The Stars” this year.<\/p>\n

In its February newsletter, BMCAI said there were several reasons for the decision.<\/p>\n

One was that two venues the function has used in the past will not be available this year due to National Park upgrades scheduled to begin in July.<\/p>\n

Another was the rising cost of equipment hire, particularly the cost of hiring a marquee to accommodate 200 guests.<\/p>\n

BMCAI’s social subcommittee said that exorbitant hiring costs were significantly eroding the event’s fundraising capacity.<\/p>\n

“Dinner Under The Stars” has been one of BMCAI’s major annual fundraisers to bankroll its plan to build a community centre in the Bunya Mountains, and the cancellation has underlined the importance of the project.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“The weather seems to be becoming more unpredictable and it is growing ever more challenging to arrange outdoor events without having a back-up venue to retreat to when the weather is unpleasant,” BMCAI said.<\/p>\n

The social committee will instead use this year to consider other fundraising events the group can run or alternative approaches they can adopt in the absence of a community centre.<\/p>\n

Other BMCAI events planned for this year include an Anzac Day Ceremony on April 25; a NAIDOC Week celebration in conjunction with the Bunya People’s Aboriginal Corporation at the Bush University on July 1; and Play Music On The Porch on August 31.<\/p>\n

More details about these events will be released in coming months.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Long-serving BMCAI secretary Carol Weekes will step down as editor of the group’s newsletter, website and Facebook page after five years in the role.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Her place will be taken by Russell Sturgess, who will step into the newly created role of Publications Officer.<\/p>\n

These changes were announced at BMCAI’s recent Annual General Meeting, which was attended by 37 members.<\/p>\n

2024 office bearers are Noel Noack (president); Gerald Tooth (vice-president); Carol Weekes (secretary); Robert Zigterman (treasurer); and Brett Mason (committee member).<\/p>\n

The position of chair of BMCAI’s Social, Events and Fundraising Subcommittee has yet to be filled.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In other news:<\/strong><\/p>\n