Botanical Bazaar
The Botanical Bazaar is the Rotary Club of Gold Coast’s major fundraiser, but it is also a high-profile community event that enhances Rotary’s public image by promoting environmental sustainability, providing exposure for local suppliers and community groups, and creating a unique and relaxing environment among the community gardens, with live music, delicious food and drinks, and plenty of activities for the kids.
The event receives excellent online and print media coverage, including The Courier Mail, Gold Coast Bulletin, mygc.com.au, The Weekend Edition, ABC’s Gardening Australia, Ocean Road Magazine, and Blank Gold Coast. It is also supported by Division 5 Councillor Peter Young and the team at 94.1FM. It really does take a village!
PICTURED: Gold Coast Passport Rotary Club member Guy Murphy and Jordan Zeinert (a Griffith University intern with the Rotary Club of Gold Coast) at the 2022 Botanical Bazaar. (Photo: Andrew Chan)
Each year, professional photographers are employed to cover the event and in 2022 Bordertown Films created a stunning video of the festivities.
Throughout the weekend, attendees interact with a huge variety of knowledgeable green exhibitors, attend workshops and listen to educational talks by celebrity gardeners and horticulture experts. Everyone comes away with hints and tips about growing your own food, urban and small space gardening, sustainable living concepts, health and medicinal herbs.
The two-day event provides a platform for the Rotary club to connect with various local businesses, not-for-profit organisations, and artists. Attendees can interact with more than 80 local green businesses and artisans, allowing them to showcase and sell their products. Environmental not-for-profit organisations also have the opportunity to educate the wider community about their causes.
PICTURED: Approximately 60 Gold Coast Rotarians and partners volunteer at the annual Botanical Bazaar, presented by the Rotary Club of Gold Coast.
The event provides an audience for local musicians and entertainers on stage or busking, and delicious food and beverages are available from 15 vendors. Families and children can participate in free nature-based activities, while gardeners have access to a wide range of plants and garden products at reasonable prices.
The event also provides a platform for local artists of all ages to showcase their work, with more than 100 artists painting dragonfly shapes for Art @ Bazaar. Additionally, the on-site community gardeners have the opportunity to showcase their market and eco-gardens, while the Gold Coast Volunteer Coast Guard raises much-needed funds by ensuring site parking is safely managed.
Patrons love the 60-strong team of friendly volunteers, most of whom are Rotary club members and family.
PICTURED: Rotary Club of Gold Coast Past President Kate Kimmorley chats with a Channel 9 News crew at the 2022 Botanical Bazaar. The event received great coverage on the station’s prime time news program. (Photo: Mark Urqhart)
The event has developed a loyal following and created a current and relevant image of Rotary within the community.
“We absolutely LOVE Botanical Bazaar!” said one visitor. “It is right up there with the best plant/garden/lifestyle events in Queensland and this group of organisers are totally awesome! We love you guys…. keep up the good work. Seriously, lots of other events are run by people who are not as cool as you guys are. We are THRILLED that the event is in such great hands with Gold Coast Rotary.”