10 minute read
Events
SPRING/SUMMER events
/ NOVEMBER
Open Water Swimming comes to Koombana Bay
Swim with the dolphins in sheltered Koombana Bay, enjoy the beach facilities and stay the night in friendly digs to experience everything Bunbury has to offer in what will be the biggest weekend of open water swimming in the south west. OWS Series Round 4: Bunbury, November 21, 6 am to 11.30 am: Visit openwaterswimming.com. au/event/ows-series-bunbury
Testing women’s triathlon
The Women’s Triathlon aims to encourage, empower and embrace ladies of all ages to say I Can and I Will. Let this be your year to be fit, healthy and happy within yourself and achieve your goals. Health Women’s Triathlon, Bunbury, November 15. Visit: bunburytriclub.com/events
Speed demons
An action-packed weekend at the Collie Motorplex, with an Autokhana event on Saturday and a club sprint event on Sunday. Plenty of action to be seen with some quick cars getting around the track. Free entry for spectators and canteen open both days. HSV Club of WA Autokhana and Sprint at Collie Motorplex, November 14 at 7am. Contact the Collie Motorplex on 0428 826 613.
/ DECEMBER
Celebrating Christmas in style
The BunGeo region is gearing up for an extra-special festive season. Here are some of the
seasonall events planned: Head down to the Bunbury CBD from December 1 and discover the Christmas Lights Trail winding through the City’s streets. Featuring a large Christmas tree at Bicentennial Square and a number of interactive and light-up decorations, this festive display will be on show throughout the Christmas period. TOP TIP: Use #LOVEBUNBURY when posting photos of the trail to social media. Bunbury’s Street Parade will be held on December 6 from 5.30pm and we ask spectators to spread out and consider physical distancing where possible while watching the festively decorated floats and groups pass by. Christmas in the City will be spread over two weekends to help reduce crowds in response to Coronavirus. On December 13 from noon, the festival will commence in various locations throughout the Bunbury CBD with The Apprentice and
Traineeship Company Carols
Concert kicking off at the Graham Bricknell Music Shell from 4.30pm. Come along and celebrate a traditional Christmas at the annual Lions Club of Collie’s
annual Christmas Pageant
on December 19 from 2pm to 10.30pm. The iconic Street Parade between 6pm and 7pm is always a highlight. Santa is very much a part of the evening, participating in the Parade in his sleigh, and posing for photographs with children. Browse the markets all through the beautiful Central Park, while the kids are kept amused by a huge variety of free entertainment on offer. Come and browse through a wide variety of market stalls at the Harvey Indoor Christmas Markets on December 5 from 9am to 1pm. Entry is by gold coin donation, Kids under 16 are free. The Kirup Summer Solstice Markets is being held on December 6 from 9am to 4pm at the Kirup Town Hall (Arthur Kelly Memorial Hall as listed on Google) .
Music for all
After the huge success of their show at Maker & Co in 2019, there’ a great line-up of talented south west artists to bring you an evening of live music under the stars at the beautiful Evedon Lakeside Retreat. From 6pm with music between 7 and 10pm, bring a concert chair, picnic blanket or cushion. Under 18s are welcome however they must be accompanied by an adult. An Evening of Music at Evedon, Evedon Lakeside Retreat, December 4, 6pm to 10pm. For tickets, visit trybooking.com/BKMRH
Saddle up
Celebrate the new year in style at the Bunbury Trotting Club’s New Year’s Eve party with
events
SPRING/SUMMER
fireworks to send 2020 off and welcome 2021. Live Harness tracing and New Year’s Eve Fireworks, Donaldson Park, Bunbury, December 31.
/ JANUARY
Fringe benefits
Get ready to rock the Fringe in Bunbury. The annual Festival dishes up an unbelievably eclectic program of comedy, dance, film, theatre, music, visual art and thought-provoking lectures. Bunbury Fringe, January 22 to 30. Visit bunburyfringe.com
Join the Dash for Cash
Race along BunGeo’s beautiful waters from the Eaton Foreshore to Bunbury’s Leschenault Inlet. Runners leave at the time provided by the Handicapper. This year there’s a support event of one lap of the inlet as a Male/ Female Duo. The Leschenault Catchment Council will be donating one tree for every competitor that enters the event. Dash for Cash Handicap 10km Race, Bunbury & Eaton, January 2.
Lifesavers head to Back Beach
More than 1,000 competitors representing 20 clubs will make the trek to Bunbury’s beautiful Back Beach for the annual SunSmart Country Carnival held over the Australia Day long weekend. SunSmart Country Lifesaving Carnival, Bunbury Back Beach, January 23 to 24. Visit bunburyslsc.com.au
Wherefore art thou, Shakespeare in the Vines?
It’s a welcome return of Shakespeare in the Vines as the very talented Essential Theatre company present Romeo & Juliet. Shakespeare in the Vines: St Aidan Wines, January 9. Visit saintaidan.com.au
Prizewinning art on show
Harvey Art Society’s Harvey Art Prize will be on show in January. Featuring works for sale from West Australian artists with the Alcoa Harvey Art Prize awarded on the opening night (January 15) . Harvey Art Prize, Harvey
Recreation and Cultural Centre, from January 15 to 20. Opening times - Saturday 10am to 8.30pm, Sunday to Wednesday from 10am to 4pm.
Light up the skies
The annual Australia Day celebration, SkyFest, will again be held on January 26 but will move over to Koombana Foreshore to include the sand and the surf for a true Australia Day. Expect live music entertainment on the beach and activities for young and old on the sand and lawn areas, as well as the playground. To end the night, fireworks will light up the sky from 8.30pm. Bunbury SkyFest, Koomabana Foreshore, January 26. Visit bunbury.wa.gov.au
/ FEBRUARY
Country music celebration
The Boyup Brook Country Music Festival is one of WA’s most popular music and camping festivals, held annually in February and this year is no different. The Music Park is a charming family festival venue, with mature river gums over grassy knolls on the banks of the beautiful Blackwood River. Check out the website for the line-up. Boyup Brook Country Music Festival, February 18 to 21. Visit countrymusicwa.com.au
Harvey Dam hosts OWS event
With beautiful freshwater and no currents, Harvey Dam is the perfect introduction to Open Water Swimming for swimmers at all levels. Distances Available: 500m, 1.25km, 2.5km & 5km. OWS SWA King/Queen of the Dam Round 10- Harvey Dam, February 7 from 7am to 11am. Visit: openwaterswimming. com.au/event/swafoundation-diamond-mile
Swim, run and ride the Classic
The highly regarded Bunbury City Classic Triathlon returns with this year’s event to again be held in the protected waters of Bunbury’s Koombana Bay. Swim in the protected waters of the Bay, ride along Bunbury’s stunning Back Beach and run through Marlston Waterfront. LGM Industries Bunbury City Classic Triathlon, February 7. Visit bunburytriclub.com/ events/bunbury-classics
Bring your dancin’ shoes
Join the Donnybrook and Districts Country Music Club for a good ‘ole fashioned country music dance in newly renovated Balingup Hall. Retrosonic will keep you dancing all night. Country Music Dance, Balingup, February 29, tickets $10 available on the night.
Celebrate the Year of the Ox
The Chinese New Year will take over the Stirling Street Arts Centre with hands-on workshops including dumplingmaking (small fee applies),
events
SPRING/SUMMER
parasol-painting, paper flowermaking, Chinese bonsai classes and the ever-popular mah jong with a special table for the kids. Bunbury Chinese New Year Festival, Stirling Street Arts Centre, Bunbury, Feb 13 and 14 At the end of Chinese New Year and the full moon, find community-made lanterns throughout the Friendship garden. The garden will be free for visitors to take a self-guided walk to admire all the lanterns, find their own, admire the Ox and delight in the floating lotus lanterns in the waterway. Traditional Chinese music will be played and an innovative light show will wash over the park grounds. BYO picnic in Queens Park to watch the lanterns come alive at sunset or to have dinner in town and wander over afterwards. Bunbury Chinese New Year Lantern Festival, February 27.
/ MARCH
First past the post
All roads will lead to Bunbury on March 6, when racing takes centre at the Bunbury Turf Club. In a historical first, the $120,000 Furphy Bunbury Cup and $120,000 Amelia Park Bunbury Stakes will be combined to lead a stellar Super Saturday race card to be run at metropolitan prize money levels. Bunbury Cup & Bunbury Stakes, Bunbury Turf Club, March 6. Visit bunburyturfclub.com.au
Harvey Harvest Festival
Experience the atmosphere of Italy in the picturesque gardens of Snell Park, Harvey. Local produce will be transformed in true paddockto-plate style cooking demonstrations with many of Harvey’s iconic brands – Harvey Cheese, Harvey Fresh, and Harvey Beef. Expect music, entertainment, markets rides, street theatre, fairy workshops, the LiveLighter Grape Stomp and an animal petting farm. March 21, harveyfest.com.au
Tuck in for a good cause
Love a good feed? Join the Chef’s Long Table Charity Lunch for a stunning afternoon of food and entertainment, under a marquee overlooking Leschenault Inlet. They’ll be an exquisite eight-course degustation, delicious local wine, fabulous entertainment (think Michael Martin), and an exciting auction for a great cause. Chef’s Long Table Lunch, Bunbury, March 14. Visit chefslongtable.com.au.
Tree Street Art Safari
The Tree Street Art Safari returns in 2021 which sees more than 20 venues and 50 artists open their doors to give visitors a unique insight into their everyday workspaces. Things kick off on March 20, along Bunbury's historical Tree Street area. Bring the family and friends for a day full of art, local music and gourmet delights.
/ MAJOR EVENTS FOR THE DIARY
Bunbury 3 Waters Running
Festival, April 11 2021
The 2021 Donnybrook
Apple Festival April 3 & 4 2021
CinefestOZ will return to the south west in 2021 with a feast of live screenings and events from August 25 to 29. With high calibre film guests and a sensational line-up of home-grown films, it’s little wonder CinefestOZ, heading into its 14th year, has consolidated its position as the premier destination film festival in Australia. For more information visit cinefestoz.com and follow the Festival on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @cinefestoz
Gargoyle Lodge, a 1920s executive holiday home with character and comfort is perfect for your stay and a base to explore Collie and surrounding areas. Gargoyle Lodge is big enough to support families and groups of friends in comfort and style. www.gargoylelodge.com.au Ph 08 9734 5088
STOP PRESS!! “Pitch ’n’ Pack” NOW AVAILABLE! • We provide the tent all set up. • No need to buy your own, know how to set up or pack up tent.Come down Friday, leave Sunday. Discover DiscoverCollieTHERE IS SO MUCH TO SEE AND EXPERIENCE
Caravan & Caravan & Camping Sites Camping Sites
Powered Powered Unpowered Unpowered Cabins Cabins
