Monthly Events

The Gin Gin Regional Courthouse Gallery proudly presents the May exhibition “Art Daze” by the Gin Gin and District Fine Arts Society.

During the past year there have been some discussions about miniature painting within the group and we set about learning the specific criteria for miniatures. The group then decided to include this specialized art form as a feature of this year’s exhibition and it is exciting to see how each artist interpreted their own style into a miniature artwork. Entry is free but a gold coin donation would be appreciated. There are disabled facilities.

The Bundaberg Christian College Sew What’s Crafty Expo is on again this year and all stall holders will be back to tempt you with their products. There will be over 50 exhibitors on site exhibiting craft such as Beading, Scrapbooking, Woodwork, Soaps, Candles, Glass Blowing and much more.

The Expo will also include craft workshops and demonstrations, Scrapbooking and photography competitions and displays which are open to the public, children’s workshops which are supervised by members of the Bundaberg Christian College Staff or parents and friends, who all hold Blue Cards. There will also be competitions, plus delicious food and drink which will be available from the Sew What’s Crafty Cafe.

The top three Glee Clubs will battle it out at the Grand Finale on Saturday 19 May at the Moncrieff Entertainment Centre. Celebrity guests, Three Wishez from Channel Seven’s The X Factor, will be performing on the night and the trio will also judge the performers. This event is organised by the Catholic Parish of Bundaberg in aid of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Each year the Bundaberg Writer’s Club hosts WriteFest – the largest gathering of writers in the Wide Bay/Burnett Region. Since its inception in 2005 its numbers continue to grow with participants travelling from as far away as Innisfail, Wallumbilla, Brisbane and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts eager to join local writers in taking advantage of the wonderful opportunity to learn from industry professionals. WriteFest is a one day event held on the third Saturday in May at the Bundaberg CQUniversity Campus. The event provides full catering for the participants and presenters.

WriteFest - $75 includes tea, coffee, juice, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea ($35.00 15 years and under)

Masterclass - Saturday or Sunday only: $95; WriteFest plus Sunday Masterclass: $145 (Masterclass requirements on Expression of Interest form)

The Biggenden Show is on again this year in May. There will be plenty of events for all the family over the two day show, including cattle judging and an incredibile array of cooking, artwork, crafts and needlework. Also there will be cattle judging and sale, a campdraft and much more.

The Mount Perry Camp-draft is on again this year, with events including Open Bull, Novice Bull, Juvenile Bull, Steer Wrestling, Bullock Ride, Poddy Rides and Motor Bike novelty events to keep the whole family entertained.

There will be action packed fun for the family, so bring your chairs and enjoy the action, there will be food and a licensed bar available all day, with live entertainment until late. Camping and hot showers are free on Saturday and Sunday nights, and breakfast will be available on Sunday morning.

Bring the family along to the Shalom Performing Arts Complex  to see The Bundaberg Symphony Orchestra’s "Gala Concert" on Saturday May 19 at the commencing at 7.30pm. Guest soloist is Bundaberg local, Andrew Lorenze.

The City to Coast Community Bike Ride is not a race but a chance to have a relaxed ride and enjoy the scenery of the coastal area and the sea. The route closely follows the Burnett River before turning inland and continuing through cane and small crop fields, eventually making its way to the Esplanade. From there the riders will ride alongside the beach for about another five kilometres before reaching the finish line at the southern parklands at Burnett Heads.

Get involved on Sunday 20 May at the Million Paws Walk by enjoying a healthy walk, mingle with other pet owners and just have a great time. Funds raised throughout the day go towards vital services and campaigns undertaken by the RSPCA Queensland. The Million Paws Walk continues to be one of the RSPCA Queensland’s most popular outdoor events for animal lovers and their furry friends. Enter fantastic competitions and end the day by relaxing with great entertainment, a variety of food and drink, exhibitor stalls and animal demonstrations. There will be a vet on hand to answer questions concerning your dog plus dog grooming.

Funds that are raised through walk registrations and online fundraising goes towards vital programs, services and campaigns undertaken by RSPCA Queensland, as well as looking after the animals in our care.

Bundy’s Aussie Country Muster is on again next year with a whole week of live Country Music, family entertainment at its best. There will be concerts by local artists, bands and invited professional guest artists featuring daily Walk up Entertainment with Rocket and Ally. An old time dance will be held on Wednesday night and a Variety Concert by selected guest artists on Thursday and Friday nights. On Sunday morning enjoy Bush poetry by leading professionals and walk up poets at Poet’s Breakfast followed by ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Gospel Hour. Bring the camping gear along as there are great facilities at the site and it is close to a major shopping complex. There will be tea, coffee, soft drinks, snacks and some meals will be available also make sure to bring a chair or rug for comfort.  Please be aware that this event will be a glass free area.  

Bundaberg State High School will be performing the Wizard of Oz in late May. This musical involves students from every grade and provides an opportunity to showcase a variety of singing, dancing and acting but it’s also a chance for students from all levels to work together and have fun.  

Most people will know the plot and have seen the movie, but come along and support these talented, hardworking students and be taken back to a long ago time. Everyone will remember the Tinman who wanted a heart, the Lion who wanted some courage and of course Toto Dorothy’s dog.

The Childers Show will feature a full program of ring events, including the popular six bar jumping event. A Show Princess Competition for both senior (18 to 28 years) and juniors (15 to 18 years) will be held for the first time.

Other attractions will include Camel rides, Old MacDonald's Farm, Vintage cars and machinery, a pet show and of course side Show Alley. The pavilion will feature displays of Flowers, Vegetables, Cakes, Pottery, Photography and Quilting.

A scarecrow competition will be held among the area schools and local dance groups and school bands will entertain during the day. Country and Western Singer Neil Duddy will provide entertainment throughout the afternoon and evening along with a Fireworks show and market stalls, so come along and make this Childers Show a resounding success.

Drovers young and old welcome, have you ever wanted to be a drover and experience the way it was done in the last century, if so make sure to sign up for this ride, you won’t be disappointed. This will be an old fashioned Cattle Drive through Monal Country and on the first day there will a Drovers Dinner of Beef Stew, damper, Plum Pudding and Billy Tea.

After a good night’s sleep, get ready for a trail ride through some of the most spectacular country at the top of Monal Creek. Make sure to bring your own swag and all children must wear a riding helmet, no stallions or dogs allowed. There will be limited hay provided for horses, but water will be available. The cost of the Cattle Drive includes all meals and smokos.

The Bundaberg Regional Show is on again this year with the usual attractions for all the family. The adults will enjoy watching the dog shows being judged in the main pavilion as well as admiring the many crafts, paintings, fruit and vegetables that are on display. The children have not been forgotten as the sideshow attractions will be there to keep them occupied, and maybe some of the adults will be adventurous and try the rides! This is a great family show and one of the highlights of Bundaberg each year.

These markets are held every Sunday from 6:00am until noon and entry is free. They provide a large range of goods for sale including plants, fruit and vegetables, shrubs, herbs and much more. You can purchase a barbecue breakfast for a small cost and listen to great music at the same time. Take a drive there one Sunday and be surprised at the variety of goods for sale.

The Gin Gin Historical Society’s Wild Scotchman Country Markets are held on Saturdays every weekend. At the numerous stalls there is on offer fresh local produce, craft of all variety, clothing, jewellery, bric-a-brac, plus much more. There are also excellent catering facilities offering breakfast, tea and coffee, soft drinks and take-away foods. Bring the family along for a great morning at the markets. The markets start at 7.00am and finish at noon, entry is free.

The Apple Tree Creek markets are on again with a change of coordinators, at the Apple Tree Creek sports grounds. Come and grab a bargain from their wonderful array of stalls. They host everything from clothes, to bric a brac, plants, books, crafts and much more.

Bring the children along for a ride on the ponies and sample their great canteen for breakfast, morning tea or lunch, sit and enjoy the easy listening live entertainment. All are welcome, they have something for everyone; plus proceeds go to the Isis Flying Club, who maintain the air strip and keep it serviceable should it be required by the Royal Flying Doctor or any emergency. The markets are held on the second Saturday of each month.

Come along and enjoy browsing among the Crafts and stalls, the whole family will enjoy the atmosphere

The Biggenden Lions Club Markets are held on the second Saturday of each month and provide a large range of goods, plus arts and crafts. There are also stalls selling fresh local fruit and vegetables. The whole family will enjoy the day out starting with a barbecue breakfast.. From 6.30am until 11.am and entry is free.

Come along to Bargara and enjoy the beautiful coastal setting at the Bargara Beach Windmill Markets which are open every weekend. The markets have a distinct multicultural feel with Thai cuisine, Indian textiles and Aboriginal art. The markets also support the planet with Eco friendly packaging and Australian produced organic herbal teas and olives plus organic vegetables.

Villa Flores, the permanent shop in the Windmill is also open from Tuesdays to Sundays and offers beautifully handcrafted accent decorative pieces from Bali. The Bargara Beach Windmill Markets has something for everyone with local art, handmade jewellery, food and massage, one of a kind craft pieces, clothing and even fishing tackle. Markets are open from 10.00am until 3.00pm and there is no entry cost.

On the fourth Sunday of each month the Historic Burnett Heads Lighthouse is open for visitors. This lighthouse was erected at South Head Burnett Heads in 1873 and was operational for 99 years until it was replaced by a taller tower. The lighthouse was relocated to Lighthouse Park in 1972 for preservation and stands as a lasting icon of the district. A Heritage Trail brochure is available at the lighthouse when it is open, and guides those who wish to go on the Heritage Trail walk which wends from the Historic Lighthouse to the current operational lighthouse, through the former Pilot Station Reserve and along the foreshore.

The PCYC markets are held on the second Sunday of the month from 8.00am to noon and you will find a wealth of goods on sale. There are stalls that specialise in woodwork, arts and crafts and fresh fruit and vegetables as well as plants are on sale. You can buy an excellent breakfast consisting of toast, sausage, egg, bacon and a hash brown for $5.00. Parking is available onsite as directed by the SES volunteers.

One of the current exhibitions at the Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery is Seaweed. This installation is designed to highlight the importance of the ocean, where plants are the foundation of the food chain and their health is critical for the maintenance of marine ecosystems.

 These are currently threatened by global warming, as well as by soil and fertilizer run off. The artist’s inspiration has been taken from the seaweed found while walking along the beach. Victoria Stirling creates beautifully intricate prints from pressed seaweed while Alison McDonald cuts out discarded plastic bottles into seaweed shapes.

The Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery presents one of their next exhibitions in Gallery One, titled ‘Strike a Pose’ with miniskirts of the 1960s to the Bohemian fashions of the late 1970s. Lee Lin Chin will be show-casing photography from these two dynamic decades, with images drawn exclusively from the National Archives of Australia's diverse photographic collection, House of Osti fashions 1975, when long flowing 'Granny' dresses entered fashion's mainstream with the hippy movement.