General News
17 October, 2022
Rush to Dunolly for festival’s golden return
Excitement is building for the return of the Dunolly Gold Rush Festival, returning this weekend for the first time since 2006. The festival first ran in 1971 before being put on pause in 2006, but is now set to run again following work from...
Excitement is building for the return of the Dunolly Gold Rush Festival, returning this weekend for the first time since 2006.
The festival first ran in 1971 before being put on pause in 2006, but is now set to run again following work from community members including group Dunolly and District Inc and funding from Central Goldfields Shire Council’s Community Grants Program.
Central Goldfields Shire Flynn Ward councillor and Dunolly Gold Rush Festival ambassador Liesbeth Long said excitement for the festival is almost at tipping point.
“Everyone is just ecstatic to have the Gold Rush Festival returning,” she said.
“There is so much planned, there will be plenty for the whole family to enjoy, from prospecting demonstrations, archery displays, wood-work demonstrations and historic selfies at the Dunolly Courthouse, just to name a few.
“The volunteer organising committee, Dunolly and District Inc, has done an incredible amount of work in pulling this event together and I can’t wait to welcome people to Dunolly for the Gold Rush Festival.”
The weekend will get underway on Saturday with the Dunolly Music Festival at the Dunolly Golf Club from 4 pm to 10 pm where a number of bands will take to the stage.
A full day of activities will get underway on the Sunday at Gordon Gardens including prospecting demonstrations, archery displays, woodwork demonstrations, jumping castles, free popcorn and fairy floss, Goldfields Music Club, barefoot bowls at the bowling club, a ‘hold the gold’ contest, historic walking tours of the town, olde dress up selfies at the Dunolly Courthouse and more.
Dunolly Gold Rush Festival organiser Brian Phillips said it will be great to welcome tourists and locals alike to town for the event.
“This will be a great family-friendly weekend, there will be something for everyone on offer,” he said.
“All of our local businesses have got behind the Gold Rush Festival — they’ll all have special hessian flags out on display throughout the weekend ad there will be a ‘Dunolly Traders Chase’ whereby visitors collect stamps at shops to then enter a draw.
“We will also be selling Dunolly Gold Rush branded merchandise such as caps, bucket hats, beanies, t-shirts, polo tops and stubby coolers.”
The Prospectors and Miners Association Victoria AGM will unofficially kick off the festival on the Saturday, where a mega raffle will see $15,000 worth of prizes on offer.
The festival will run from October 22 to 23. For more information search Dunolly Gold Rush Festival on Facebook.