29 September 2023

Nine things to do in the regions this week (29 September - 5 October)

| Claire Sams
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People using two-handed saws outside

Woolfest brings well known traditions back to the Hilltops region for another year. Photo: Irish Woolfest Boorowa/Facebook.

The October long weekend is here, and so are many events to keep you busy!

There are opportunities to get outside and enjoy the warm weather, with Broulee Brewhouse hosting a two–day event to celebrate Oktoberfest, a community picnic will be held in Moruya and skateboarders in Batemans Bay can attend demonstrations and a lighthearted competition. Alternatively, snap up some of the final tickets for Wanderer Festival and have a boogie!

Both Cowra and Boorowa will see the return of long–running events, with the Annual Goulburn Lilac City Festival and Irish Woolfest both set to return.

For the creatives, Goulburn Performing Arts Centre will host the Festival of Regional Theatre, the Cowra Civic Centre Makers Film Festival is on and the second writing workshop with lawyer–turned–author Siobhan Mullany will be held.

Multiple days

A black-and-white image of Sampa The Great

Zambian artist Sampa The Great is among those in the Wanderer Festival lineup. Photo: Wanderer Festival.

Wanderer Festival

When: 29 September to 1 October
Where: Pambula Beach, Pambula
Cost: Tickets vary in cost depending on which package is chosen, and can be purchased by choosing an option on the festival’s website.

A festival with more than just music is returning to the South Coast this long weekend. The Wanderer Festival’s lineup includes more than 20 musicians, comedians, circus performers and other artists set to perform across the multiday festival. Snap up the final tickets and get involved in the festival’s second year!

A flyer for the event

The festival returns for its 72nd year. Photo: Goulburn Lilac City Festival/Facebook.

Annual Goulburn Lilac City Festival

When: 29 September to 2 October, 9 am to 5 pm daily (specific events have set times)
Where: Various locations in Goulburn; see program
Cost: Free entry and participation for most events, though some events have a cost.

This is the 72nd outing for the Annual Goulburn Lilac City Festival. The program includes markets, busking, carnival rides, gardening and music competitions, a street parade and activities for children. Joining for the first time is the Lilac Fairy Hunt, which is raising money for Cystic Fibrosis Goulburn and District.

Three Broulee Brewhouse tinnies

Oktoberfest isn’t just something celebrated in Germany, with the coast also getting in on the action! Photo: Broulee Brewhouse/Facebook.

Oktoberfest at Broulee Brewhouse

When: 30 September to 1 October, from 11 am both days to early evening
Where: Broulee Brewhouse, 71 Coronation Drive, Broulee
Cost: Free entry.

The fun will start on Saturday, with Josh Veneris and then Min Ha performing from 11 am. And don’t worry AFL fans, the game will be watched on the Brewhouse’s screens! The following day will see performances from local musicians all day long. In keeping with the spirit of Oktoberfest, German share plates of bratwursts, pork knuckles and soft pretzels will be available, alongside German–inspired beers to wash it all down.

A flyer for the event

Clap as loud as you can at these shows that showcase regional theatre. Photo: Goulburn Performing Arts Centre.

Festival of Regional Theatre

When: 30 September to 2 October, various times
Where: Goulburn Performing Arts Centre, 163 Auburn Street
Cost: Tickets vary in price and can be purchased for the preferred show on the centre’s website.

Returning after a successful showing in 2022, the Festival of Regional Theatre is back to highlight what regional playwrights can do. In 2023, audiences can watch a family drama, a tribute to classic Hollywood icon Marlene Dietrich and a competition that will see amateur theatre groups and regional artists go head-to-head with one-act plays. So take your seats and watch the curtain go up!

Friday

A man helping a child perform a skateboard trick

Learn the basics around skateboarding (or show off your skills) at this event. Photo: Aquabumps.

Spring Up Block Party

When: 29 September, 1 to 5 pm
Where: Batemans Bay Skate Park, Hanging Rock Sports Complex, Beach Road, Batemans Bay
Cost: Free entry, though bookings are needed by 3 pm on Thursday (28 September) via eventbrite.

Skateboard fans, this is one for you! Concrete Skate Supply will be coming from Bondi to run demonstrations and a competition (complete with prizes). The sessions are divided by age, with registration required for the categories (U12, U16 and open age). But the event isn’t just for youngsters, with older and professional skaters invited to come along and show off their skills as well.

A flyer for the event

Films and filmmakers are the focus of this festival. Photo: Cowra Civic Centre.

Makers Film Festival 2023

When: 29 September, from 6:15 pm
Where: Cowra Civic Centre, 104 Darling Street, Cowra
Cost: Tickets cost between $15 and $25, and can be purchased online via the centre’s website or its in–person box office between 10 am and 4 pm (Monday to Friday).

An international tour featuring 17 short films will be making a stop at Cowra on Friday. A ticket comes with a complimentary glass of wine on entry for you to sit down, settle in and watch some unique films.

A photograph of people playing bagpipes in a street parade

A tradition is returning to the streets of Boorowa! Photo: Irish Woolfest Boorowa/Facebook.

Irish Woolfest in Boorowa

When: 29 and 30 September, various times (fringe events); 1 October, 8 am to 4 pm (Running of the Sheep)
Where: Various locations in Boorowa
Cost: Free entry to the Running of the Sheep and some fringe events have a cost; see program.

A Hilltops tradition is returning to the streets of Boorowa for its 25th anniversary. This year, the Running of the Sheep will be held on the Sunday, following a range of events including an art show, comedy, live music and more.

Saturday

A woman in glasses looking at the camera in a selfie

Siobhan Mullany spent two decades as a criminal lawyer before making a new career in writing. Image: Lambing Flat FAW/Facebook.

Murder, Mystery and Mayhem 2! workshop

When: 30 September, 10 am to 3 pm
Where: Flamingo’s Room, Young Services Club, 42 Cloete Street, Young
Cost: Tickets cost $20 per person and can be booked by calling 0427 017 884 (Maree) or 0437 895 359 (Hilda).

Siobhan Mullany spent two decades working as a criminal defence lawyer before turning to writing – and now regional writers can benefit. Following a successful workshop earlier this year, Lambing Flat Young FAW Writers have invited Ms Mullany back for another workshop.

Monday

A flyer for the event

This picnic has been organised to bring the community together. Photo: Nicole O’Donohoe/Facebook.

Moruya Community Picnic

When: 2 October, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Riverside Park, Moruya
Cost: Free entry.

Marine Rescue Tuross Moruya will be celebrating its 13 years of operation with a picnic – and you’re on the guest list. The plan for the day also includes a raffle, gift bags, potato sack races, a thong throwing competition and three–legged races. But the focus will remain on the region’s emergency services. Marine Rescue volunteers will showcase their rescue boat and jet ski crews and Fire and Rescue NSW will bring a fire simulator and talk about kitchen fires.

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