THE Rosewood Community Centre plans to take on the organising of the Rosewood Christmas Carnival.
Last week, the Moreton Border News reported that the Rosewood Lions had decided to discontinue the event due to a number of issues including the cost of engaging traffic controllers and private security and the long term planning which was needed each year to make the Carnival a success.
Community Centre manager Donna Hanlon said she was in the planning stages of offering an alternative event, where she will try hard to continue the “wonderful work that the Rosewood Lions did during previous carnivals”.
“Planning includes the possibility of having a Seniors Christmas high tea and a Christmas sing along with the Rosewood Community Choir,” she said.
“This is a similar event to the street carnival, but we are looking at having the stalls all set up in the Rosewood Cultural Centre and the Rosewood Showground buildings.
“We are hoping to work very closely with the Rosewood Lions Club, the Rosewood CWA and the local churches to ensure we offer an event that continues the tradition of bringing our community together.”
Rosewood Lions members Lyall McEwin, Ivan Schindler and Eirys Heit are among many who hold fond memories of the carnival that started in December 1981.
The carnival since then has run 39 times, this year would have been the 40th anniversary – a milestone achievement for the Lions who stage the carnival as a way to give the community something back for their loyal support of the Club during the year.
Lyall said that organising the carnival remained very much the same since 1981 and the Lions organised the whole event with no outside financial help.
“In the early years the Ipswich City Council closed the street, the State Emergency Services controlled the traffic and the local police looked after security. These services came with no cost,” he said.
“All stalls were not-for-profit organisations to raise funds and to show off what their organisation offered, businesses in the street were encouraged to remain open and schools, clubs and entertainers supplied free entertainment.
“The Lions hamburger stall was a favourite and the ham wheel, which involved forty spins and two prizes per spin was so popular.
“The attendance was always amazing reaching over 2,000 people each year.”
But the Carnival “went into a spin” in 2010 when the State Government and Main Roads put a cost on closing the road, resulting in the Lions being directed to use Main Roads approved traffic control, at great cost.
“In addition to costs involved in closing the roads the police also informed the club that they could not help anymore and private security had to be employed,” he said.
“We have been grateful that Council was able to subsidise costs since then, as this was the most successful and rewarding Lions project where our members and all volunteers, always felt rewarded by the pleasure the evening gave the public, especially the children.”
Ms Hanlon added that it was always sad news when an event needs to be cancelled.
“The Rosewood Community Centre has been involved in the Lions Christmas Carnival since 1999, with all different kinds of stalls,” she said.
“The Carnival is a wonderful opportunity to bring community together, through building connections, networking, fundraising and raising awareness of local community programs, groups and clubs.
“Thank you to the Rosewood Lions Club for all their hard work over the many years of the Carnival, as the whole of our community benefited greatly by having this wonderful event each year,”
