Last year’s New Year’s Eve on Queensland’s Bribie Island was celebrated enthusiastically by the community with the inaugural Rotary Club of Bribie Island New Year’s Eve Carnival. And this year they are getting ready to do it all again!
By Anne Matthews, D9560 Passport Rotary Club, Qld
It was a family friendly evening of food, fun and fireworks on New Year’s Eve in 2023, when the Rotary Club of Bribie Island held its first New Year’s Eve Carnival.
The carnival was held in Brennan Park and Apex Park, which are across the road from each other. Both parks are located on the shores of the Pumicestone Passage.
Brennan Park has a stage ideal for musicians and both parks have views of the iconic Bribie Island jetty, bridge and the magnificent Glass House Mountains. The parks also have a stunning backdrop of the island’s impressive sunsets on mainland Australia.
Due to its beautiful beaches and weather, Bribie Island has around 11,000 visitors per year. It is the ideal destination for a family holiday or a day trip from Brisbane. Many of the visitors arrive during the Christmas/New Year break.
For several years, the island has not had any organised celebrations on New Year’s Eve, which were greatly missed by both locals and visitors. However, thanks to the infectious enthusiasm of Bribie Rotary’s events coordinator Lulu Drew, a very successful carnival was organised in 2023.
Lulu obtained the backing of Moreton Bay Councillor Brooke Savige and several businesses on the island, who generously donated funds for the fireworks and entertainment. The donations meant the club could successfully hold the carnival without having to contribute financially.
The Brisbane suburb of Redcliffe, which is located just across Moreton Bay, cancelled their annual event in the weeks leading up to New Year’s Eve. The Rotary Club of Bribie Island was asked by Moreton Bay Council to prepare for the extra influx of visitors due to this cancellation. So, at the last minute, they had to order additional portaloos, bins and supplies.
PICTURED: Rotary Club of Bribie Island members and friends were instrumental in the success of the inaugural Rotary Club of Bribie Island New Year’s Eve Carnival in 2023.
The event was a huge success and was without incident. Local police commended the club on the fantastic job they did organising the necessary road closures, security, first aid and, of course, the family entertainment and amusement rides.
Most of the food vendors had sold out by the end of the night and have all asked to return this year, as the night was such a success.
Club members helped with the organisation and were able to raise funds by selling raffle tickets in their electric scooter raffle.
By the end of the night, there were several very tired Rotarians who had worked a long day setting up and then overseeing the vans, trucks and stall holders out of the parks after the 10pm closing time.
The Rotary Club of Bribie Island acknowledged their generous sponsors, particularly the Bribie RSL Club, Bribie Island Community Nursery, Bribie Island Bowls Club, Councillor Brooke Savige and Moreton Bay Regional Council.
Other sponsors included Ms Ali King MP, Ampol Bribie, Dossels Engineering, First National Real Estate, Gateway Bribie Adventures, Island Signs, Bribie Leading Appliances, Remax Bribie Island, Robbie’s Crystal Cauldron, and the Sinclair Family. Sandstone Point IGA supplied unlimited toilet paper and Bribie/Ningi Local Ambulance Service provided volunteers for the first aid station.
The local Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) played one of the most important roles on the night. They patrolled the Pumicestone Passage and set up a seclusion zone for the fireworks.
Bribie Island Police were present throughout the event to make sure there was no unruly or dangerous behaviour.
The carnival, which was open from 4pm to 10pm, attracted thousands of locals and visitors. Everyone enjoyed the free family, non-alcohol event, with food from the numerous food trucks, market stalls, on stage music and, of course, the 9pm fireworks display.
Side Show Alley, which was separately located in Apex Park, was a huge success.
Lulu and her team are hard at work organising this year’s carnival, which has become an annual event on Bribie Rotary’s calendar. At the club’s Change Over on July 4, 2024, Lulu was deservedly named as the club’s Rotarian of the Year. Well done to Lulu and Bribie Rotary.
Prior to last year’s New Year’s Eve Carnival, Bribie Rotary members always held a Christmas party dinner. Instead of presents, everyone purchased food, which was then donated to the Bribie Island Neighbourhood Centre (BINC), which looks after the homeless on the island.
Over the years, thousands of items have been donated by Bribie Rotary to BINC. They will continue this much appreciated tradition each Christmas.
The 2024 Rotary Club of Bribie Island New Year’s Eve Carnival will kick off with fun for families from 4pm at Brennan Park, Bribie Island. Activities include market stalls, food vendors, sideshow alley and on-stage entertainment, with fireworks at 9pm.
MAIN PICTURE: Rotary Club of Bribie Island New Year’s Eve Carnival event organiser Lulu Drew with special guest Mini and Mickey Mouse.