Families flocked to the Rosewood Showgrounds on Friday 12 December for the annual Rosewood Christmas Festival, organised by the Rosewood and District Supporting Communities Inc. (RADSc).
The free to attend Christmas carnival drew about 1000 people and offered live music, markets, craft activities, and rides for children, before a late storm kicked in and brought the festivities to an early close.
Community Project Worker at the Rosewood District Support Centre, Tia Lancaster, said the festival had something for everyone.
“We had some fantastic free activities for all the children, including a variety of extensive indoor and outdoor markets featuring local artisans and small businesses,” she said.
The Rosewood Community Choir had three separate performances, encouraging everyone to sing along and enjoy the community carols experience. Additional attractions included face painting, balloon modeling, and three inflatables, including a jumping castle, an obstacle course, and slides.
As a not-for-profit organisation, Mrs Lancaster said RADSc works to make events welcoming and affordable especially during the holiday season.
“One of our key programs is the Rosewood Community Centre, and our core mission is to support the community in the best ways we can,” she said.
“We strive to keep costs low, ensuring that financial barriers don’t prevent participation.
“When families attend these events, we want to make sure they don’t have to to pay for rides or activities.
“By making our events accessible to everyone, we create a space where all families can equally enjoy the experiences and fun we offer no matter their situation.”
RADSc also supports families in need throughout the year with their emergency food hampers and vouchers for families in hardship.
“We work with a diverse range of clients, including individuals and families in need, some of whom have been referred to us by various sources,” Mrs Lancaster said.
“Schools, in particular, help us identify families who may be struggling, allowing us to extend our support effectively.
“So it’s a referral-based system.”
Mrs Lancaster praised the support of volunteers and community partners that make events like the Christmas carnival possible and free of cost.
“We rely heavily on our volunteers and supporting organisations who play a crucial role in making these events possible,“ she said.
“I want to acknowledge the incredible support we’ve received from the City Council, Bendigo Bank, and Kennards Hire Bundamba, who generously donated lighting to us at no cost.
“The SES has also been instrumental, providing a significant amount of support and assistance with parking and other logistics.”
