‘Disappointing’: Region shattered by cancellation of popular event

One of the region’s most treasured events has been cancelled days before it was set to be held, after the Toowoomba Regional Council delivered a list of new conditions to be met. Details here.

Every year for the past three decades, the small town of Goombungee transforms into a sea of purple ahead of Jacaranda Day, but now the region’s rich tradition is under threat.

The annual festival, which coincides with the first bloom of Jacaranda trees, consists of a street parade, art exhibition, machinery displays, markets, food stalls and self-guided tours.

With just over a week until the event was set to be held for its 30th anniversary, organisers have revealed the popular event has sadly had to be 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.

Rosalie Shire Historical Society president Denise Iseppi. Picture: Bev Lacey

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.”

In addition to this time constraint, Ms Iseppi said the committee had also struggled with accessing funding required to ensure the loved tradition of the street parade continued.

The society president said “considerable” discussion and efforts had been made to overcome these challenges, before ultimately making the decision to cancel the event.

As a result of the cancellation, several event initiatives involving community groups and businesses would also no longer be going ahead.

Jacaranda Day celebrations at Goombungee in 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“We are not the only small town battling to keep local events alive,” she said.

“This year was a big milestone as we were going to celebrate 30 years of Jacaranda Day and the effect this will have on the community will be huge.

“We believe we have secured a guarantee from council that they will work with us to ensure we have compliance from the beginning, so this won’t happen again right at the end.”

Ms Iseppi encouraged the public to still try and make the trip to Goombungee as the jacarandas would be in full bloom early November and the event would “absolutely” be returning to the region next year.

Thousands of people visited the town to see the event in 2022, with many patrons travelling from Brisbane, Mackay and the coasts.

The Chronicle has sought comment from the Toowoomba Regional Council and is awaiting a response.