BY CAPRICORN ENTERPRISE
A passionate community, unique location and welcoming atmosphere were three of the key ingredients mixed to create a tremendously successful inaugural Gemfields Festival earlier this month.
After being re-branded and re-imagined in 2022, the festival was spread across the four townships of the Sapphire Gemfields including Anakie, Rubyvale, Sapphire, and Willows Gemfields.
Providing a world-class experience for visitors and locals alike and thrilled to showcase their diverse and distinctive part of the world, the volunteer-led committee were delighted with the outcome, with President Paul Thompson congratulating the entire community for banding together and delivering the extensive program.
“The atmosphere across the festival was brilliant with all events extremely well attended,” Paul said.
“Aside from the economic benefits delivered to the area during the event, the community collaboration witnessed was inspiring and showed the growing strength of this special part of the world.”
Many fundraising initiatives were held across the nine-day program including the Queens Jubilee High Tea at Ramboda Homestead which raised more than $2,000, the Big Brekky and celebrations at Willows Gemfields, which supported the local fire brigade, the Arts and Crafts Wine and Cheese night at Rubyvale Hall which raised close to $2,000 for the Rubyvale Progress Association, and more.
The highly anticipated Stake-a-Claim event proved extremely popular with gems and other prizes donated by many generous local businesses.
The Treasure Trail encouraged participants to visit contributing businesses throughout the event, with two major prizes up for grabs including a 3-day stay at Great Keppel Island Hideaway and $1000 voucher from Coolimon Mining Showcase. Paul Jones and Mike Jetson took out the top gongs and were absolutely thrilled with their wins.
The Saturday Night Spectacular which was hosted by the Rubyvale Progress Association provided plenty of fun with wheelbarrow races, live entertainment, and a fireworks display.
“We are looking forward to planning an even bigger and better Gemfields Festival in 2023 and encourage anyone wanting to be part of the celebrations to get in quick and book their accommodation,” Paul said.
“A number of accommodation facilities are already heavily booked for next year, with guests prebooking their stay prior to departing this trip.”
Capricorn Enterprise CEO, Mary Carroll congratulates the Gemfields on pulling together the fabulous week-long calendar of events and encourages those from right across the Capricorn region, to pack up the family, jump in the car and experience this jewel on our doorstep.
“The numbers of people who returned year after year to Gemfest were a testament to the richness and quality of events that this region delivers, and seeing the Gemfields Festival deliver the same, if not better, results should definitely be celebrated,” Mary said.
“The Central Queensland Highlands together with the Southern Great Barrier Reef is fast becoming incredibly popular for its diverse terrains, top class tours, attractions, accommodation, retailers and world-class events, all of which is continuing to put our wonderful destination on the map and increase visitation.”
The next exciting event coming up on the Gemfields calendar is the third annual Mardi Gras, which is a fabulous celebration of diversity and inclusion.
What began as a ‘one night only’ birthday party for one of the locals has transformed into an annual festival of madness ‘n’ mayhem with more colour and movement than a 1980’s hairdo, spanning the entire weekend of the October Queens Birthday long weekend.
From Friday night Blingo to a colourful Pride Day on the Sunday, this event is set to sparkle, so save the date and watch this space.
More information will be released shortly. Tickets can be purchased by calling Willow on 0438 973 333.
Following on from Mardi Gras will be the first ever Gemfields Rocks, held annually on the last weekend in May and aims to become the region’s premier event showcasing the best Sapphires, Rock and Roll music and classic cars.
Visit www.gemfieldsrocks.com.au for more details.
