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
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 Product. This 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