Making events great again: Hundreds of people lined Sanger Street for the Rotary Club of Corowa’s Federation Festival Grand Parade this year. The event made a triumphant return to the annual calendar.
Sustainable future through collaboration
Corowa’s Regional Events Committee plans to revolutionize the community’s event scene with a new independent group.
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The committee invites all community organisations and clubs to attend a special meeting to discuss how a new, independent events group can operate and how you can be part of shaping the town’s future through sustainable events.
The meeting will be held at the Corowa Lions Club on November 7 at 5pm, and Federation Council has been asked to have the new mayor (to be decided next Tuesday) of Federation chair the event.
Rotary has proposed a solution through an existing framework available under the Rotary Community Corps model.
Looking forward to the meeting of Thursday, November 7 include, from left, Aaron Carrick, Greg Dickins, Harry Berger, Steve Kent, John Crothers, Chris Kent and Suze Rogashoff.
This group would provide the necessary governance, insurance coverage and organizational structure to coordinate and deliver sustainable events for Corowa.
Operating independently, the group would represent all community groups, businesses and local government considerations.
The regional Events Committee believes the establishment of this events group would ensure a level of professionalism while keeping the spirit of volunteerism alive.
The governance provided by Rotary would ensure the rigor and oversight needed to comply with regulations and manage events efficiently, while still allowing flexibility for community-led initiatives according to the Corowa Regional Events Committee.
President of Rotary Rosemary Ferguson, Stuart Whisson, President of Lions, APEX’s Greg Dickins, President of the Regional Business Chamber Dean Druce and Steve Kent - Chair of the Events Committee all agree: “This is an exciting opportunity for all of us to come together and ensure that Corowa continues to thrive through events that bring us together, enhance our liveability, and draw visitors to our beautiful region.
“Corowa has always been a community that thrives on the generosity and dedication of its people.
“With remarkable contributions from local volunteer groups such as Rotary, Lions, Apex, Inner Wheel, Men and She Sheds, the Business Chamber, sporting groups, and other community organisations and businesses, we have hosted events that not only uplift our community but also attract visitors to experience the charm of our town.”
Last year, Corowa received a significant boost with a grant from the NSW Government, which, through Federation Council’s leadership, enabled the planning and execution of unforgettable events like the Bangerang Christmas festivities, the lighting of Sanger Street, and Rock on the River.
“However, this funding was a one-time opportunity,” Mr Kent said.
“Now, we must come together to find a sustainable way to continue hosting such events, ensuring they remain impactful and affordable for years to come.”
The regional events committee said Corowa and district is rich with passionate and capable volunteers, but “we must move beyond working in silos”.
“To sustain these wonderful events year after year, we need a coordinated, collaborative approach.
“Many of you - whether you are part of a community group, volunteer organisation, or a local business - have already been involved in these efforts in some capacity.
“However, to make a real difference, we need to align our efforts more effectively,” Mr Kent said.
Challenges too great for any one group
“The challenges we face - insurance costs, limited volunteers, shrinking funding, and increasing regulations - are too great for any one group to tackle alone.
“By formalising a collaborative structure, we can pool our resources and expertise, ensuring that the planning and execution of events is done efficiently and sustainably.
“Imagine the impact if all these groups and businesses worked together, combining our strengths to deliver unforgettable events for Corowa. The potential is limitless.”
Through shared resources and coordination, the events committee believes events would be well-staffed, well-funded and capable of growing year after year.
This collaborative approach also “allows us to tap into funding opportunities that may not have been available to individual groups”, the committee believes.
One essential component of this approach is the hiring of a part-time events coordinator.
This role would ensure that events are well-planned, cost-effective, and compliant with regulations, while also alleviating the burden on volunteers.
“With professional oversight, we can deliver amazing events while still involving the community and ensuring that our volunteers focus on the aspects, they are most passionate about,” Mr Kent said.
“Let’s work together to secure Corowa’s future as a vibrant, event-filled community. We look forward to your involvement and contribution in making this vision a reality.”
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