Civic and community events

Frightful 80s Drive-In

Spring Foodies Market

(Sunday 20 September 2020)

Our inaugural Spring Foodies Markets were the first in-person events held during the COVID-19 pandemic. This event attracted several hundred people to Kogarah Park Carlton.

Frightful 80s Drive-In Cinema

(Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October 2020)

To celebrate Halloween, we hosted the first Frightful 80s Drive-In Cinema at Donnelly Park, Kyle Bay. This event was held over two nights on the Halloween weekend, screening the first season of the hit Netflix series, Stranger Things. Over 70 cars attended each night. Attendees were encouraged to dress up their cars in a spooky fashion and two lucky people were awarded a gift voucher for best dressed car.

No Domestic Violence Ceremony

(Friday 27 November 2020)

Due to the NSW Government COVID-19 restrictions, we were unable to host the No Domestic Violence walk. Instead, we hosted a small ceremony at Kogarah Town Square where we heard from members of the community and paid respect to victims of domestic violence. The event was recorded live and made available on our website.

Christmas Ice Rink

(Sunday 13 – Friday 24 December 2020)

In the two weeks leading up to Christmas, we hosted a free Ice-Skating Rink at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium. Each available skating session was booked out immediately. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 and the NSW Government restrictions that were imposed during the two weeks, the Ice-Skating Rink finished a few days early.

2021 It's A Mood - Roller Disco

Australia Day Awards

(Tuesday 26 January 2021)

Due to the NSW Government COVID-19 restrictions, we were unable to host the Australia Day Festival at Carss Bush Park as usual. Instead, we hosted two small citizenship ceremonies, which included the Australia Day Awards Ceremony, at the Marana Auditorium. Just under 200 people became citizens and the following Australia Day Awards were given out: Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Green Advocate Award and two COVID-19 Hero Awards.

Little Lunar

(Friday 19 February 2021)

Due to the NSW Government COVID-19 restrictions, we were unable to host the Lunar New Year Festival as usual. For 2021 we hosted a small Little Lunar event to celebrate the Year of the Ox. Hundreds of people attended the event held in Hurstville Plaza, with Asian themed food stalls and traditional lion dancers adding to the festivities.

In Good Taste

(February to March 2020)

Our inaugural In Good Taste event series included many tasty events including the Bush Tuck Walkers with Brenden Moore, the Taste of Lunar New Year tours, Dog Biscuit Day, a free cooking demonstration at Club Rivers and the food-themed drive-in cinema at Donnelly Park, Kyle Bay

2021 It’s a Mood

(April 2021)

In celebration of National Youth Week (16-24 April), we launched 2021 It's a Mood - a series of exciting events across the month of April for young people aged 1224. Free events and experiences ranged from esports and a pop-up skatepark, to a roller disco and a chess tournament.

Eurovision Song Contest 2021, from left to right, Hannah Conda, Carmen Geddit and Charisma Belle.

Georges River Council 5 Year Anniversary

(Wednesday 5 May 2021)

We celebrated our fifth anniversary with two separate morning teas, one at Mortdale Depot and the other at the Marana Auditorium. Our General Manager shared the many achievements over the past five years and Georgie the Dragon joined in the celebrations.

Eurovision Song Contest 2021 - Grand Final Live Broadcast

(Sunday 23 May 2021)

We hosted a free, live broadcast party of the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final at Hurstville’s Civic Theatre. Almost 200 people attended this early morning event.

Un[contained] Arts Festival

(Friday 4 June – Sunday 6 June 2021)

The inaugural Un[contained] Arts Festival was held over three days, along Belgrave Street and Kogarah Town Square, Kogarah. It featured large-scale art installations with small discoverable artworks as well as immersive activities involving performance, sound, light, and colour. The event included a pop-up outdoor distillery garden hosted by Archie Rose Distilling Co. as well as a number of food vendors including Knafeh Jerusalem Street Food, Gelato Messina and Norma’s Burger Bar. The event was attended by 26,333 people across the weekend.

Betty Grumble performing at Un[contained] Arts Festival

Mobile Musos

(November 2020 – March 2021)

We celebrated local musicians with a program of live performances throughout the community between November 2020 and March 2021. Mobile Musos saw a range of performers out in town centres entertaining shoppers, workers and diners alike.

Citizenship ceremonies

We hosted three citizenship ceremonies including two on Australia Day. Four citizenship ceremonies were cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Bushcare volunteers saving a small bird.