Margie Maccoll
“Massive – it was definitely bigger than we were expecting,” was how event organiser Oz Bayldon described last weekend’s Noosa Come Together Festival.
“A lot of hard work went into it. It was good to see the community respond to that and come out in force.”
The warm winter weather also played a part, with the festival scoring one of the few fine weekends this year.
After it was cancelled in 2023 due to increasing production costs, rising insurance premiums and limited sponsorship it returned this year bigger than ever, pushed ahead by the help of extra volunteers and sponsors including a marketing budget.
The festival was established to raise funds for local organisations with proceeds from this year’s event going to assist Riding for the Disabled and the Noosa Yacht and Rowing Club’s Sailability program as well as domestic violence assistance programs.
The two-day festival combined the Noosa Final of The Australian National Busking Championships on Saturday with a community fun day of music, entertainment, rides and food stalls on Sunday that included the busking championship finale.
About 35 bands entertained the crowds on various stages on Sunday and each one “was amazing”, Oz said.
“We had bands coming from as far away Toowoomba. They were doing it for free.
“The youth stage was all about the youth. That stage was packed all day. Everyone wanted to see the kids playing as well as the big bands.”
The huge attendance and positive social media response indicates the festival’s popularity with the community but for its future continuation and success at fundraising it needs more sponsors and volunteers, Oz said.
“I’ve never seen it get as much traction as this on has this year. It gives you heart to think about doing it again,” Oz said.
In 2022 despite an enormous work input, particularly from Oz, the festival returned only about $7000.
This year after figures have been calculated, Oz expects it to be nearer to $20,000.
He hopes a sponsor will come on board next time to cover the costs of the rides, the festival’s most expensive item at about $10,000, and see it as a benefit to the community to provide a fun, cheap day out for the family.
To assist or for more information visit noosacometogether.com.au
