Nowra Christmas carols: Event of 49 years could face cut due to extra expenses

A beloved Shoalhaven community Christmas event could soon face the chopping block after a decision to add extra expenses worth thousands to host the jolly night.

The Nowra Christmas carols have been running in the town for 49 years.

It’s an event which has been running in the Shoalhaven for nearly five decades – but a recent council decision to add extra expenses worth thousands could see the Nowra Christmas carols cancelled for good.

While the Nowra Lions Club – which have been running the Christmas event out of the town for 49 years – has managed to scrape together money to see the jolly night go ahead this year, the future is looking grim.

The carols attract upwards of 6000 guests and will be at Harry Sawkins Park, Nowra this year.

Nowra Lions Club president Bruce Murphy told this publication the questions on the long running event’s future have arisen after Shoalhaven Council told the club it must pay for 10 toilets, traffic controllers and lighting/electrical fees.

“We looked at these extra expenses and we told council we would need $20k to run the event, which they haven’t been able to give us,” he said.

“These are expenses we’ve never had to cover before.”

In years prior, the council has not made similar requests, meaning the show was able to go forward with costs of about $8000 to $9000, which the council provided.

Nowra Lions president Bruce Murphy says he is concerned for the event's future.

The Nowra Christmas carols includes live singers and a major fireworks display.

However, council papers reveal the group has only been allocated $14,500 this year, which Mr Murphy said is $5,500 less than needed.

“It’s just not enough,” he said.

Despite this, Shoalhaven Council mayor Amanda Findlay said the funding was the most the group has ever received to put on the show.

“Council this year gave more financial support to carols than in previous years,” she said.

Mrs Findlay also said less money had been given to community groups due to budget constraints.

Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Amanda Findley said the council has given Nowra Lions more money than before to put on the show.

The Carols attract upwards of 6000 guests yearly.

“Financial constraints meant that if there was extra funding support for one activity, the same logic would need to be applied for a number of other events that are seeking additional funding,” she said.

“Council has worked hard to create a policy that is available and equitable to all and that means distributing funds might result in some groups either missing out altogether or getting smaller amounts.”

Former deputy mayor and current councillor Paul Ell said it was “disappointing” the council could not provide full funding for the Christmas carols.

“It was concerning the event may not be viable due to increasing costs, many of which were imposed by council itself,” he said.

“I have advocated for council to treat the carols and other similar events not as just ‘donations’, but as a great opportunity to bring the community together and promote the Shoalhaven.”

Former Shoalhaven Council deputy mayor and current councillor Paul Ell said the lack of funding was “disappointing”.

Fortunately, Mr Murphy said Shoalhaven businesses have come together to pledge enough money to see the show still go ahead.

“It’s still going to happen, we’re still going to have the singers, the huge fireworks display – it’s still going to be a great night,” he said.

However, Mr Murphy said the Lions Club was still concerned about the event’s future.

“We really hope this isn’t an issue going forward into 2024, 2025 and beyond, because the last thing we want to do is cancel Christmas, but we may not have a choice,” he said.

Nowra Carols by candlelight will be held from 5.30pm to 9.30pm, December 18.