Awareness event starts discussions
Community members from Colac and the surrounding district turned Memorial Square purple for the second annual Walk for Respect against family violence. The event was held on October 27, 2026.
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Historic flower show tomorrow
The 2026 Warrion Flower Show is set to open tomorrow, inviting gardeners, flower enthusiasts and anyone wanting more colour in their lives to attend. Marking its 114th year, the event will be held at the town's public hall. The Colac Herald, which reported the event, is cited as the source of this update, with the story dated 27 October 2026.
The Addams Family is coming to town as Bungendore prepares for a hauntingly good Halloween
Bungendore's Christmas shop Santa's Secret is hosting the town's second annual Halloween event on Saturday 31 October, from 3 to 6 pm. Sixteen local businesses will stay open late for trick-or-treating through the town centre. The Addams Family characters Gomez and Morticia will attend for photos beside a 1934 Packard car. A costume competition with eight categories will be held, and the Village Square will host a sausage sizzle and gelato stall. Details are posted on the Santa's Secret Facebook page.
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Get the appSurf Coast father turns grief into community support
A Surf Coast father is hosting a free community event in Torquay to help families grieving pregnancy and child loss. Adam Bumpus lost his baby daughter Florence during labour in April 2025, after learning during pregnancy she had Trisomy 18, a condition that made survival unlikely. Flo Fest will be held on Saturday 7 November at the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club. The program includes a sunrise paddle-out, breakfast, facilitated discussions led by trained grief professionals, and a remembrance gathering by the water. Registration is required by 31 October.
Today’s the day the teddy bears had their picnic
Children and their parents and grandparents gathered at KMI Hall in Kyogle on Sunday, October 25, after the teddy bears picnic was moved from Amphitheatre Park due to rain. Families sat on rugs with their teddies while the Kyogle Lions Club served a free sausage sizzle. Activities included face painting, box building, clay play, songs led by Jurassic Joe, and book readings. Ice cream was also served. Kyogle Council hosted the event.
Never heard of Kho Kho? Neither had half these Canberra players, until they gave it a go
Canberra held what organisers believe was the territory's first formal Kho Kho competition at Taylor 1 Sports Ground. Of the 24 participants aged 12 to 40, more than half had never heard of the traditional Indian sport. Federation of Indian Associations ACT president Sahithi Paturi said the event aimed to introduce the game to Canberra. Players chase opponents and hand over the chase by tapping a teammate and calling out. Organisers have not yet decided whether an annual competition or school program will follow.
Tamborine Mountain Scarecrow Festival brings the mountain to life
The Tamborine Mountain Scarecrow Festival returns from Friday 30 October to Sunday 1 November 2026, marking its 19th year. A free Scarecrow Trail runs across the mountain over the three days. The main festival is held at Cauldron Distillery on Saturday 31 October, with gates opening at 12.30pm and entertainment from 1pm. Live bands, face painting, animals, pig racing and food trucks are planned. Tickets cost $12 for adults, $7 for children and $35 for families. The Tamborine Mountain Chamber of Commerce organises the event.
No soggy teddies – picnic moves into the hall
Kyogle Council has moved its teddy bears picnic indoors to the KMI Hall because of heavy rain this week. The event is scheduled for this Sunday, October 25, from 9am until noon. Families are asked to bring their teddy bears, a picnic rug or blankets, and some snacks. The council describes the gathering as a free event and promises a memorable morning for children and their toys.
Free Friday family fun at the Coffs Harbour Jetty with firefighters, food trucks and fireworks
A free family event at the Coffs Harbour Jetty foreshore on Friday, 23 October, will feature emergency service displays, food trucks, live music, a firefighters' torchlight parade and a fireworks display over the harbour. The Community Engagement Evening runs from 5pm to 9pm and precedes the 2026 NSW Firefighter State Championships. Around 200 competitors from NSW and Victoria will compete at Maclean Street Sporting Fields on Saturday and Sunday, with entry free for spectators. Organisers say the championships are the first held in Coffs Harbour since 2003.
Whittlesea show is back
The Whittlesea Show is returning for 2026, marking its 167th year under the theme The Greatest Show. Society president Celina Mott said the event has grown from a one-day fair into a two-day event drawing more than 25,000 visitors. It runs on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November, from 9am to 5pm daily, at the Whittlesea Showgrounds. Visitors can enjoy rides, exhibits, market stalls, music, food, drinks and animals. Adult tickets cost $28 on the day or $18 online, children aged five to 14 pay $8 or $5, and children four and under enter free.
Bendigo Show reborn following $20m renewal
The Bendigo Agricultural Show opens a new era with its recently completed Showgrounds Function Centre, which will host all homecraft competitions. The 882 square metre pavilion replaces several nearby sheds. Bendigo Agricultural Show Society executive officer Ian Furze said early reaction to the building has been very positive. The redevelopment, valued at $20 million, also includes a new arena surface with electronic irrigation and a former speedway dustbowl repurposed as asphalt parking. The show runs today and tomorrow, Friday 23 and Saturday 24 October, from 9am to 9pm.
Annual Mary’s House Walk returns this Sunday
The sixth annual Mary’s House Walk is expected to draw its biggest crowd yet this Sunday, 25 October, with residents, businesses, schools and community groups taking part. The event aims to raise awareness of domestic and family violence and money for victim-survivors. The 8.8-kilometre route starts at St Leonards Park in North Sydney, passes Lavender Bay and Balls Head Reserve, and ends at North Sydney Oval. Dogs are welcome, and the day includes live music from the NSW Police Band and a free community barbecue hosted by Rotary.
Steph Strings to headline sixth annual Tarwin Lower Festival
Melbourne guitarist and singer-songwriter Steph Strings will headline the sixth annual Tarwin Lower Festival on Sunday, November 1, at the Tarwin Lower Recreation Reserve. The community event will feature 16 acts across two stages, along with classic car and machinery displays, market stalls, food vans and children's activities. Gates open at 10am. Tickets are $10 for adults and $4 for teens aged 12 to 17 when bought online before the day, with children admitted free. Organisers say the live music program has been expanded this year.
Family Fun: Middle Head Rd closes for Mosman’s free two-day street party.
Middle Head Road in Mosman will close to traffic from midday on Friday 23 October until 11pm on Saturday 24 October. The closure is for a free two-day street party, the centrepiece of the six-day Festival of Mosman: Encore. The road shuts between the Mosman Junction roundabout and Muston Street, according to Mosman Council.
Inverloch Open Gardens returns with local hidden gems
Inverloch's annual Open Gardens returns on Saturday, November 7, with a self-guided tour of private coastal gardens. Hosted by the Inverloch Uniting Church, the event runs from 10am to 4pm. Garden owner Janet Davies, whose property features natives, exotic plants and a vegetable garden, relies on 3,000 litres of rainwater storage for watering. Tours start at the church, where tickets include a hot drink, and proceeds support local community initiatives. Garden addresses remain confidential until shortly before the event.
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Get the appWomen on water
Women and girls of all ages are invited to a free sailing and windsurfing day at the Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club in Noosa on Saturday, November 7, starting at 9am. The inaugural event offers coaching from an Australian Sailing-accredited coach, windsurfing instruction and a chance to meet other women who share a love of the water. Pioneering sailor Ces Woolford will give a motivational talk at 4pm, followed by an informal question-and-answer session. Australian Sailing partly funds the day through its Sail Our Way project, which aims to increase female participation in the sport.
NAIDOC celebrated with family day
A family fun day marking NAIDOC was held at Hay Services Club on Sunday. Attractions included a petting zoo, gift bags, a DJ, games on the lawn, health services and face-painting. Hay Rams Soccer Club volunteers served loaded buttered popcorn, which proved very popular with attendees. The event was organised by a group of local volunteers led by Leo Dedinni-Fitzpatrick and Jean Woods.