The Department of State and Regional Development partners with local councils, chambers of commerce and incorporated community organisations to conduct community events in regional NSW. Funding is available for eligible events under the CED Program (Population Over 2000) and CED Program (Population Under 2000). Events are an integral part of community economic development (CED) assistance under these programs.

CED event assistance is targeted at new events which have been running less than five years. The aim is to increase professionalism and encourage local business involvement.

Communities can benefit from events economically through direct spending by visitors, income generation and employment. A distinct image and sense of community identity can be created and promoted through events. They can incorporate a variety of experiences using local products, history, arts and food and wine. Events provide opportunities for people to meet and work together, helping create a sense of belonging and social cohesion. This helps strengthen pride in a community and provides opportunities for new experiences, learning and enjoyment.

The Department is supporting a number of community events in regional NSW through the CED programs. These events are listed below. For details of the events, please visit the individual event websites.  For information on other events across NSW, visit www.visitnsw.com.au.

The Anaconda Adventure Race involves competitors participating in a variety of off-road disciplines including ocean swimming, mountain biking, ocean kayaking and running and negotiating other natural obstacles. The Forster event presents a challenging two day format traversing the coast and hinterland between Forster and Seal Rocks.
Individuals and teams can participate in the one-day event on Sunday if desired. The weekend event celebrates the natural beauty of this part of the NSW coastline and attracts competitors from all over the state.

Saturday 30th - 48km total distance
Team  Run (3km), 2XU Ocean Swim (1.9km / 500m run / 500m swim), Ocean Paddle (13.8km), Mountain Bike (19km), Keen Coastal / Trail Run (11km)

Sunday 31st - 64km total distance
Ocean Swim (1.9km), Keen Coastal / Trail Run (16km), Mountain Bike (30km), Lake Paddle (13km), Great Lakes Bridge / Beach Run (3km)
 
For further information visit www.AnacondaAdventureRace.com


September 2008

Gundagai Turning Wave Festival
Gundagai, NSW
Wednesday 17 - Sunday 21 September 2008

Turning Wave Festival is a celebration of Irish and Australian music and the arts, showcasing celebrated musicians, bands singer/songwriters, poets, storytellers, raconteurs and dance troupes.

The 5 day program includes concerts, dance, workshops, spoken word, theatre, street theatre, exhibitions and events. While the Festival begins on Wednesday with master classes and special events, the main program starts at 5pm Friday and runs through till 5pm Sunday.
Situated on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River, Gundagai, with its wide main street and character buildings and its unique culture and history provides the perfect stage for the Turning Wave Festival. 

The festival will be enjoyed by music and arts enthusiasts, families and those who just come to soak up the atmosphere. With community ensembles, individual blackboard events, a Festival Folk Club, a Singers' Club, and numerous sessions around the town there's plenty of opportunity to get involved or find a stage to share your music.

For more information visit www.turningwave.org.au


The Festival of Speed on Tweed
Murwillumbah, NSW
Friday 19 September to Sunday 21 September 2008

A popular event in the historic car racing calender, The Festival of Speed on Tweed is renowned as Australia's version of the famous Goodwood Festival of Speed in England.

Held in the Northern NSW town of Murwillumbah, it's a non-profit event run by the Rotary Club and a group of volunteers, with all profits distributed to national and local charities.

During the festival, 200 carefully-selected historic cars will challenge each other's speed and skill over a 1.4 km street circuit. The festival will attract drivers, racing enthusiats and spectators alike, with fine food and prestige beverages on offer to keep spectators happy.

Throughout the weekend there will be other activities such as a music and dining extravaganza on the Saturday night, and Junior Speed on Tweed on Satruday for the children.

For further information visit www.speedontweed.com


Poppers in the Pines Festival III
Burcher, NSW
Saturday 20 September to Sunday 21 September, 2008

The village of Burcher, population 80, is midway between Condobolin and West Wyalong in NSW.

The Poppers in the Pines Festival III will have exhibits and competitions of vintage tractors and agricultural engines, art and craft displays and evening entertainment. This popular festival will attract families and vintage machinery enthusiasts from across the region drawn to the weekend’s activities. Pig races are a new feature of the event and they will be held on Saturday at 2pm, 3pm, 4pm and 5pm.

There will be market stalls and plenty to eat with a BBQ and food and drink stalls. On Saturday night a twilight tractor pull will be held followed by live entertainment.

The NSW Department of State and Regional Development is supporting this festival as part of its commitment to the growth and development of regional communities in NSW.

For more information please visit http://www.wprd.org.au


Walk on the Wild Side
Hawks Nest, NSW
Saturday 20 September 2008

Walk on the Wild Side is a weekend of Walks and Talks and other activities in Hawks Nest - 2.5 hours north of Sydney.

Held at the peak of the spectacular wildflower season, the weekend includes free guided walks and seminars showcasing the unique flora and fauna of the area. Other activities include a performance by a live band in the park adjacent to the local shops, Mystics, Music & Massage Fair, an Open Mike night, the annual Myall U3A Art Exhibition and Sale, a jumping castle, and a BBQ by the Beach function at the local Surf Club. The Paddle for Life Kayak event also takes place on the Myall River on the Saturday.

The event is ideal for nature lovers, birdwatchers, horticulturalists, families, back-packers, day-trippers and general tourists.

For more information visit http://www.walkonthewildside.net.au/



October 2008

Old Bar Beach Festival
Old Bar, MidNorth Coast, NSW
Saturday 4 October 2008 to Sunday 5 October 2008

Held over the October long weekend, the Old Bar Beach Festival is a fun-filled weekend with attractions and events for all the family. Old Bar is located on the Mid North Coast of NSW, approximately 4 hours drive north of Sydney.

The weekend's activities include Mega Markets, a psychic fair, amusements and rides, wine and food tastings, rugby tens games, Old Cars at Old Bar and free entertainment.

Kombis and Transporters from all over Australia roll into town with their much loved buses in an attempt to break the World Record for the most number of Kombis in one place. 

For more information visit www.oldbarbeachfestival.com.au



Manilla Platypus Festival
Manilla, NSW
Friday October 3 to October 5 2008

Manilla Platypus Festival is a major regional art and dance show held over three days to celebrate the Manilla community, located half an hour north of Tamworth in the New England Region of NSW.

The weekend's activities include a rock 'n roll spectacular featuring Ian B Cloud, country music spectacular featuring Rob Breeze, Alan Cash and a dozen other performers, as well as conservatorium of music performances, music in the main street and a major dance spectacular.
There will also be a Sunday morning gospel session, craft affair, a Guinness book of records attempt featuring 1 km of 20 cent coins and a celebrity auction.

For more information visit www.manillacommunitynews.com


Culcairn Festival
Culcairn, NSW
Friday 3 October to Monday 6 October, 2008

Culcairn is located 527km south west of Sydney, in between Wagga Wagga and Albury.

The Culcairn Heritage festival celebrates the town's 125th Anniversary and the weekend features events that showcase Culcairn's history and Celtic heritage.

The weekend has activities for the town's residents and visitors of all ages, including an art show, opening of historic buildings to the public, a street parade with decorated floats, pipes & drums bands, army band, pony club members, vintage cars and a fire engine. There will also be heritage craft demonstrations, vintage cars and engines and a highland dancers display, as well as mini highland games, stalls and the display of a heritage quilt and murals. There is a Supper dance on Sunday evening and a mixed bowls tournament on Monday.

The NSW Department of State and Regional Development is supporting the Culcairn Festival as part of its commitment to the growth and development of regional communities in NSW.

For more information please visit http://www.greaterhume.nsw.gov.au/events/pages/12273.html


Lismore Sustainable Living Expo
Lismore, NSW
Friday October 16 to Sunday October 19, 2008

The Lismore Sustainable Living Expo is a family event that showcases climate-friendly products and practices, new tools and technologies, innovative ideas and hands-on workshops. The event is held on the Lismore Showground as fringe event of the North Coast National Agricultural Show.

The program offers practical know how for modern day sustainable living and includes the fields of renewable energy, recycling, sustainable building and farming, food self sufficiency and carbon neutral living, and draws on elements such as Cities for Climate Protection and the Schools of the Future Competition. The event is expected to draw visitors from the Northern Rivers and South East Queensland.

The NSW Department of State and Regional Development is supporting the Expo as part of its commitment to the growth and development of regional communities in NSW.

For more information please visit www.livingexpo.com.au


Myall River Festival
Tea Gardens, NSW
Saturday 25 October 2008

The Myall River Festival, held on the waterfront of Tea Gardens beside the Myall River, showcases the Tea Gardens / Hawks Nest community by involving many local groups and businesses. The festival features a woodchop event, an aquatic sail past, stage entertainment, live band, Surf Club River rescues, Duck Race, a Pets-on-Parade Show, Clowns, Rock-climbing Wall, more than 70 x stalls of art, craft, fresh produce, food and displays and more.

In the week leading up to the festival, other activities are taking place including an Art Exhibition, a Writers Workshop, Bush Poets night, an Open Mike night, and a new initiative called Art in the Windows where local businesses display art in their shop windows.

The festival is also the platform for launching the year's additions to the Myall Riverside Art Walk,  a community Public Art Project which currently incorporates more than 20 locally made and donated pieces, installed along the River from Tea Gardens to Hawks Nest.

For more information visit www.myallriverfestival.com.au