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Welcome to the home of the Great Australian Pumpkin Roll!

 

Welcome to the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival website. We hope you will find it informative and exciting and that it will tempt you to join us on the last Sunday in May for this fun filled day.

The first festival was held in 1997 with 1000 people attending, most likely out of curiosity. How much fun could possibly be had rolling pumpkins down a hill??? Since then popularity and reputation has soared and numbers have grown to approximately 13,000. Local, interstate and overseas visitors signup to participate in this unique event – the Great Australian Pumpkin Roll.

We will be frequently updating, so please take a look around, and check back regularly for updates. Please feel free to register your interest in the Festival by signing up to our e-mail mailing list. And before the festival, why not try your Pumpkin Rolling luck online with our Great Australian Pumpkin Roll Game! If you wish to tell your friends about the Festival, send them an Internet Greeting Card, or if you've been sent one, pick yours up below.

DATECLAIMER:   

12th annual

Goomeri Pumpkin Festival 

 SUNDAY 25th MAY 2008

 

 

A message from the PREMIER OF QUEENSLAND

 


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News

Sunday 27th May 2007- FESTIVAL RESULTS

 

THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN PUMPKIN ROLL

 

Adults:            1st       Chris McKenzie, Coolum Beach  

                        2nd      Ray Kahl, Rainbow Beach

 

Juvenile          1st       Rebecca Yusuf, Brisbane

                        2nd     Michael

 

 Mayoral Challenge:  Stuart McClintock, Illinois, USA

 

PUMPKIN BOWLS

Winner:            Nick Yusuf

 

 

GIANT PUMPKIN 

Won by:  Col Smith, Manumbar

 

DECORATED PUMPKIN COMPETITION

 

8 & under                    1st:    Madison Beresford

                                    2nd:    Claire Magro

                                    3rd:     Meagan Clark

 

9-12 years                  1st:    Jason Hanwright

                                    2nd:    Lauren Clark

                                    3rd:     Alisha & Ali Sharp

Highly Commended:            Rockamer family

                                               Natalie Dench

Open                           1st:     Emily Horne                                   
 

PUMPKIN PATCHWORK CHALLENGE
 

Adults:                         1st:        Robyn Edmistone

Juvenile:                     1st:         Tracey Marsh

                                    2nd:         Bree Cotter

 WHIPCRACKING COMPETITION
 

8 years & under       1st:        Chloe Sims 

                                  2nd:        Lauren Sims

                                  3rd:        Ben Brooks

9-12 years                1st:        Hayden Knight

                                  2nd:        Corey Scott

                                  3rd:        Beth Kotzur

13-15 years              1st:        Daniel Kotzur

                                  2nd:        Emily Kemp                         

16 years & over        1st:        Paul Sims

                                  2nd:        Jonathon Kotzur                         

PUMPKIN PAGEANT

OPEN:

1st prize:  2 nights accommodation at Pumpkin Island & transfers (valued at $1000)

Won by:           Sharyn Harth, Lacey Robertson, Sheri Taylor, Nina Tkcazynski, Robyn Morton

2nd prize:           Kevin Saylor

JUNIOR: 

1st:                   Brenton, Cassandra & Sarah Brenton

2nd:                  Phoebe Campbell
 

  

WHEELBARROW OF THIRST QUENCHERS RAFFLE

1st Prize:           Robert Johnstone

2nd Prize:          Julie Want

3rd Prize:           Fay Collard

4th Prize:           P. Cavins

5th Prize:           Glen Maudsley

6th Prize:           Sharon McDonalds

7th Prize:           V. Coleman

8th Prize:           Julie Want

9th Prize:           Maggie O’Rance

 

 

Sunday 28th May 2006 - FESTIVAL RESULTS

 

THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN PUMPKIN ROLL

 

Adults:            1st        Brendan Wessling, Beaudesert

                        2nd       Clive Wallace, Bracken Ridge

 

Juvenile            1st      Denver Bennett, Landborough

                        2nd      Jarryd Brouton, Redcliffe

 

Lucky Spot:     $1000 PRIZE - Bonnie Simpson, Redcliffe

 

Mayoral Challenge:       Margaret Keech MP, Minister for Tourism, Fair Trading and Wine Industry Development

 

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS:  2000 winner, Wayne Stickley, Kallangur

 

PUMPKIN BOWLS

 

Winner:      Lucinda Shatte, Tingoora

 

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS:  2002 winner, Jocelyn Richardson, Nanango

 

 

GIANT PUMPKIN

 

Won by:  Michael Lawless, Booubyjan

Pumpkin weighed:  120 kgs

 

DECORATED PUMPKIN COMPETITION

 

Pre-Year 1                   1st:  Meg Plant

                                    2nd:  Jack Brebner

                                    3rd:  Hannah Brebner

 

Years 2-3                     1st:  Daniel Dorse

                                    2nd:  Bailey Wardell

                                    3rd:  Brodie Euler

 

Years 4-7                   1st:  Gemma Ross & Tayler Bastin

                                    2nd:  Zoe McDonald & Shae Williams
                                    3rd:  Joshua Yusuf

 

Open                            1st:  Matt Perry, Sydney

                                    2nd:  Vanessa Giles

                                    3rd:  Regina Thompson

 

 

PUMPKIN PATCHWORK CHALLENGE
 

Adults:                         1st:   Ros Harvy, Murgon

                                    2nd:   Kath Reck, Goomeri

 

Juvenile:                     1st:   Jarmilla Slaughter, Goomeri

                                    2nd:  Emma Dimmick, Goomeri

                                    3rd:  Kristi Burns, Goomeri
Encouragement Award:

                                    Te'arne Lynas, Goomeri
                                    Rebekah Houldsworth, Murgon

 

WHIPCRACKING COMPETITION
 

8 years & under        1st:  Georgia Hansen

                                    2nd:  Callum Allerty   

                                    3rd:  Tayla Babbeler

9-12 years                 1st:  Daniel Kotzur

                                    2nd:  Hayden Knight

                                    3rd:  Aleita Wolskii
13-15 years               1st:  Brent Barbeler

                                    2nd:  Callum Stumm

                                    3rd:  Matt Sims
16 years & over        1st:  Jonathon Kotzur

                                    2nd: Owen Scott

                                    3rd:  Ash King

                                  

PUMPKIN PAGEANT

OPEN:

1st prize:  2 nights accommodation at Pumpkin Island & transfers (valued at $1000)

won by Sharon West, Brisbane
2nd prize:  Ron Heilbronn

 

JUNIOR: 

1st:  Georgia Thompson, Birkdale

2nd:  Michael Giles, Goomeri
 

VISITOR REGISTRATION BOOK COMPETITION

 

2 nights accommodation at Yallakool Tourist Park – Won by R&C Oudshourn, Hervey Bay

  

WHEELBARROW OF THIRST QUENCHERS RAFFLE

1st Prize:  Tanya Trace

2nd Prize:  Mr & Mrs Shewin, Blackbutt
3rd  Prize:  Fred Howard, Rockhampton

4th Prize:  M. Gagel, Goomeri
5th Prize:  Christine Rolph, Benarkin
6th Prize:  D. Sloman, Noosaville
7th Prize:  W. Stampa, Nanango

8th Prize:  Cam & Soe Polzin, Gayndah

9th Prize:  Thelma Irwin, Goomeri

 

19th November 2005

Goomeri Pumpkin Festival was awarded a Finalist Award at the Queensland Tourism Awards held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre last night.

 

17th September 2005

The Goomeri Pumpkin Festival was announced winner of the Regional Festivals and Special Events category at the prestigious Fraser Coast South Burnett Tourism Awards for Excellence held at the Maryborough City Hall on Saturday night.  This is the third consecutive win for the festival.  The Goomeri Pumpkin Festival will now be inducted into the Hall of Fame. 

The Goomeri Pumpkin Festival also won a new judge’s award Most Improved Tourism ProductThis special award was sponsored by Suncorp and recognizes the dedication and achievements of a submission that demonstrates outstanding growth in their tourism operations.

 

31 May 2005

The 9th annual Goomeri Pumpkin Festival has been another huge success for the tiny town of Goomeri with record numbers attending the festival.  Organisers estimate approximately 13,000 visitors attended, an unbelievable figure when the normal population is approximately 500. 

The Hall of Memory was full on Saturday night with the excitement of the festival in the air, visitors and locals danced until midnight, enjoying a delicious country style meal and Clovely Estate wines.  During the night, the festival co-ordinator auctioned 2 camel rides in the Street Parade with proceeds ($210) being donated to the Endeavour Foundation. 

Festival morning was chilly for the organisers and stall holders setting up but nobody could have asked for a more perfect day. 

A huge variety of entertainment was on offer including Pumpkin Patchwork, Pumpkin decorating, pumpkin food, pumpkin cooking, pumpkin bowling and pumpkin rolling.  Some other favourites were Angie Mooney, 4 times Australian Ladies Whipcracking Demonstration, Denis & Jane Sims Working Dog Demonstrations, Dan Davie, World Champion Creative Blacksmith, camel rides, helicopter rides and Jason Ford's Cooking Demonstrations.  Jus' Mugs, Tanya-Marie Sims, Wondai Town Band, Belswagger Morris and a variety of buskers kept the music flowing throughout the day.

The Heritage Street Parade is always a favourite among young and old.  The parade included camels, horses, clydesdales, miniature horses, dogs, sheep and even a couple of jersey cows plus the whipcracker, Wondai Town Band, an assortment of beautiful antique cars and more.  Not to be missed was the Pumpkin Pageant entries all wanting to win the 2 nights accommodation and transfers at tropical Pumpkin Island (valued at $950).

The Visitor Registration books tells everything with comments such as "absolutely unique and pumpkinwonderful", "worth the trip", "great atmosphere", "great country hospitality", "what a wonderful day - we'll make it an annual visit".

The newly released "Purely Pumpkin" Recipe book was very popular.  Copies are still available at $10 a book plus $2 postage and handling.

The 2006 festival is the 10th annual Goomeri Pumpkin Festival.  Organisers are hoping the day's programme will be even better.  Adult winners of the Great Australian Pumpkin Roll and winners from the Pumpkin Bowls over the past 9 years are invited back to Goomeri to compete in the "Champion of Champions" Pumpkin Roll  and Pumpkin Bowls.  Please contact festival organisers if you have been one of the past winners.

The committee wishes to extend their deepest gratitude and thanks to the many volunteers, SES personnel, supporters and everyone who assisted in any way at all to make the 2005 Goomeri Pumpkin Festival a success.

To the festival sponsors who play a vital role, the committee sincerely thank you for your patronage.
 

Results of the 2005 Festival

 

THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN PUMPKIN ROLL

 

Adults:              1st        Barbara Hughes, Mooloolaba

                        2nd        Jason Monty, Dalby

 

Juvenile            1st        Joshua Yusef, Tarragindi

                        2nd      Ryan Stower, Murgon

 

Lucky Spot:      No Winner

 

Mayoral Challenge:       Sgt Warren Lohmann, Goomeri

 

PUMPKIN BOWLS

 

Winner:  Ken Moore

Encouragement Award:  Like Wilson

 

GIANT PUMPKIN

 

Won by:  Peter Moss, Kingaroy

Pumpkin weighed:  41 kgs

 

DECORATED PUMPKIN COMPETITION

 

Pre-Year 3                   1st:  Bernard Dolinski

                                    2nd:  Jason Hanwright

                                    3rd:  Karla Smith

 

Years 4-7                     1st:  Raymond Dorse

                                    2nd:  Aaron Dench

                                    3rd:  Rianna Smith

 

Open                            1st:  Lianne McDermott

                                    2nd:  Karen Finney

                                    3rd:  Karen Finney

Encouragement Award:  Ben Campbell

 

PUMPKIN PATCHWORK CHALLENGE
 

Adults:                          1st:  Kath Reck, Goomeri

                                    2nd:  Lara Aires, Kilkivan

 

Juvenile:                        1st:  Tammy Ayres, Kilkivan

                                    2nd:  Rebecca Barkle & Ashley King, Kilkivan

Encouragement Award:

                                    Crystal Lockyer & Brodie Robinson, Kilkivan
                                    Te’arne Lynas, Goomeri

 

WHIPCRACKING COMPETITION
 

14 Yrs & Under:

                                    1st:  Daniel Kotzur, Kingaroy

                                    2nd:  Hayden Knight, Goomeri
Open:

                                    1st:  Jonathon Kotzur, Kingaroy

                                    2nd:  John Magor

 

PUMPKIN PAGEANT

 

2 nights accommodation at Pumpkin Island & transfers (valued at $950)

won by Bill Pearce, Gympie

 

Under 10’s Encouragement Awards:

                                    Brook Heness, Goomeri

                                    Helen Sippel, Pittsworth

                                    Alice Sippel, Pittsworth

                                    Fleur Pavlicevich, Goomeri

 

VISITOR REGISTRATION BOOK COMPETITION

 

2 nights accommodation at Yallakool Tourist Park – Won by Basil, Caldicott, Eagleby

  

WHEELBARROW OF THIRST QUENCHERS RAFFLE

1st Prize:  Merle Reid

2nd Prize:  Betty Hall, Gympie

3rd Prize:  Sharon McDonald

4th Prize:  L. Jones

 

 

 

18th March 2005

A message from the Premier of Queensland

12th September 2004

Last night at the prestigious Fraser Coast South Burnett Tourism Awards held in Hervey Bay, the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival was announced WINNER of the Regional Festivals and Special Events category.  

The Goomeri Pumpkin Festival has now received this award two years running.

 

30th May 2004

The 8th annual Goomeri Pumpkin Festival has been and gone and was another huge success for the tiny town.  Goomeri has approximately 500 residents - at the 2004 Goomeri Pumpkin Festival organisers estimate 12,000 people attended on festival day alone.

For the first time, the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival with the support of RAD Funding the committee organised a whipcracking workshop on Saturday afternoon.  Children and adults enjoyed watching and learning from the Australian Mens Open Whipcracking Champion, Chris McGregor.  Chris is only seventeen years old, but is unbelievable with a whip or two in his hands.  

On Saturday night visitors came from everywhere to attend the Dinner Dance and were not disappointed as they enjoyed a delicious meal, great wine and a wonderful night of dancing with some additional entertainment.

Kingaroy’s Jus’ Mugs kept everyone dancing until midnight. Chris McGregor the Australian Mens Open Whipcracking Champion gave a surprise demonstration and the hall echoed with the sound of whipcracking. Bush Poets, Tom Oliver and John Major also entertained the visitors with their talents between courses.

As promised, Goomeri Pumpkin Wine was released by Barambah Ridge and the Pumpkin Festival.  Nobody knew quite what to expect but comments on the taste are postive and nearly all of the wine available sold on festival day.

Sunday morning was cold for those who started at 4.00am but the day warmed up quickly and no one could have asked for a more perfect day.

Over 200 market stalls lined the streets with all sorts of things to choose from.

The programme kept everybody entertained.  Entries in competitions were higher then previous years and lots of pumpkin fun was had throughout the day.  Of course the pumpkin food was enjoyed with almost all of the 400 litres of soup being consumed.  

The Great Australian Pumpkin Roll didn't disappoint anyone.  Policeman's Hill was full of visitors and once those pumpkins started rolling, ohs and ahs and laughter was all that could be heard. 

The Lucky Spot prize of $500 nearly went off, one pumpkin landed within 6 inches of the marked spot.

Eight years ago this festival began and no one knew what or if it had a future.  No one could have forseen the success rolling pumpkins down a hill could bring for the small town.  

Following are results of competitions:

THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN PUMPKIN ROLL

Mayoral Challenge: Goomeri Policeman, Senior Sergeant Warren Lohmann

Adults:

1st: Mulga Bill, Rockhampton

2nd: Max Schofield, Hervey Bay

Juvenile:

1st: Ben Campbell, Goomeri

2nd: Jack Lawson, Goomeri

Lucky Spot Not claimed in 2004. In the adults roll a pumpkin entry landed 6 inches from the lucky spot.

 

PUMPKIN PATCHWORK CHALLENGE QUILT

Adults:

1st: Vivienne Hawkins, Brisbane

2nd Kate Maudsley, Murgon

Highly Commended: Sybil Leigh, Brisbane

Juvenile:

1st: Alice Kelly, Murgon

2nd: Fiona Pratt, Goomeri

 

DECORATED PUMPKIN COMPETITION

Preschool to Year 3

1st: Hannah Roff

2nd: Aaron Terry

3rd: Sophie Roff

Years 4-7

1st: Rianna Smith

2nd: Clarissa Prescott

3rd: Hayden Knight

Open

1st: Karen Finney

2nd: Karen Finney

3rd: Emma Dimmick

Encouragement Award: Shae-ann Alexander

 

GIANT PUMPKIN COMPETITION

Won by: Sid Silburn, Goomeri Pumpkin weighed: 32.5 kgs

 

PUMPKIN BOWLS

Won by: Billy Whelan, Goomeri

 

WHIPCRACKING COMPETITION 15 YEARS & UNDER

1st Ernie Evans, Widgee

2nd Nathan Reinbott, Kingaroy

3rd Trent Schoif, Kingaroy

 

BARROW OF THIRST QUENCHERS RAFFLE

1st: Lesley Schneider, Goomeri

2nd: Arthur Bond, Murgon

3rd: C. Light, Kingaroy

4th Isobel Reid, Goomeri

30th September 2003

Goomeri Pumpkin Festival received a FINALIST award in the 2003 Queensland Tourism Awards in the Significant Festivals and Events category held in Brisbane on Saturday 29th September 2003.

14 September 2003

The 2003 Fraser Coast South Burnett  Tourism Awards for Excellence was held on Saturday 13 September at the Kingaroy Town Hall.  Winner of the Regional Festivals and Special Events Category was the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival. 


Goomeri Pumpkin Festival Committee CONTACTS