Goombungee community continues to organise Jacaranda Day celebrations despite event setback

With the Jacaranda Day festival cancelled just two weeks out from the date, the Goombungee community has assured fans of the iconic event activities will continue.

Michael Johnson before performing during Jacaranda Day celebrations at Goombungee, Saturday, November 5, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

With the recent cancellation of Jacaranda Day, the most significant event on the calendar for Goombungee, local businesses are asking residents and tourists to still come and support the small town.

The annual festival was going to celebrate its 30th anniversary, with an abundance of food stalls, art exhibitions, live music, and of course the blooming of the vibrant Jacaranda flowers for the first time this year.

However, with just over a week until the event was set to be held, organisers revealed the popular event was cancelled.

Rosalie Shire Historical Society president Denise Iseppi said the event committee was presented with several requirements at a meeting with the Toowoomba Regional Council on October 23.

Ms Iseppi said the executive made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s event, as it would not be possible to meet the new conditions in time for the festival on November 4.

“It is indeed a sad and disappointing position to be in so close to the event date,” Ms Iseppi said.

“The safety of visitors is something we take very seriously and we have no issue meeting those requirements, but time was not on our side.”

But the community reassures purple tree lovers from far and wide that festivities are still on the cards for some businesses on November 4.

Jacaranda Day celebrations at Goombungee, Saturday, November 5, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Pioneer Arms Hotel employee Sam Davidson said she has lived in Goombungee for eight years and has never seen a time when there wasn’t a Jacaranda Day.

“The community gets behind it every year, we all have done so much preparation for it,” Ms Davidson said.

“It is meant to be a huge celebration of our town, it’s just very disappointing.

“It really is a shame, especially for school students, and local kids who look forward to it every year.”

Ms Davidson explained the Pioneer Arms Hotel will still go ahead with their event plans.

“We’ve still got live entertainment booked and a full menu for the day,” Ms Davidson said.

Not New Op Shop secretary Bronwyn Holland is a volunteer at the Goombungee Arts and Cultural Enterprise and said the shop, which opened just 18 months ago, will continue to run normal opening hours.

“At the end of the day, the committee for Jacaranda Day just couldn’t meet the regulations and costs of road closures this year, but if it means we come back next year fully prepared and well planned then so be it,” Ms Holland said.

“We will still skirt our trees, it is only a small attraction for Jacaranda Day but it is part of the tradition.

“With or without Jacaranda Day, we still have lots of visitors come during November to see the trees in bloom.”

From left are Adam, Selin and Lina Thomas.

Sonia Hornery from Vintage Cow Cafe said festivities will still run across the town as many people from all over Queensland will still come for the big purple day.

“The town is a very vibrant place and the whole community gets behind (Jacaranda Day). We are still going to have a lovely weekend,” Ms Hornery said.

Working alongside her daughter, who owns Vintage Cow cafe, Ms Hornery said the cafe will be selling their famous steak sandwiches and wagyu pies.

“We are going to be running a promotion on the day … the customer who buys the 50th pie of the day will win a prize,” Ms Hornery explained.

“Even around the town, other small businesses will be continuing to run their planned activities … we just can’t have a formal Jacaranda Day.”