Community & Business
11 December, 2024
Council’s Goin’ to Gil roundup
As part of the Thursday, November 21 council meeting, Gilgandra Shire Council (GSC) was presented with a summary of Goin’ to Gil Weekend and Under the Gums 2024 success.
As part of the Thursday, November 21 council meeting, Gilgandra Shire Council (GSC) was presented with a summary of Goin’ to Gil Weekend and Under the Gums 2024 success.
Goin’ to Gil Weekend ran from Friday, September 27 to Sunday, September 29.
The weekend saw a number of events including live music and a parade along Miller Street; CWA markets and watermelon eating competition; Gilgandra Tractor and Machinery Club Show and Shine and Swap Meet; the Coo-ee Call competition; and Under the Gums music festival 2024.
The weekend was rated a nine out of 10 in post event surveys.
“Under the Gums Festival has become a regionally significant event with ticket sales exceeding 3000,” states the November 21 business paper.
“Over 43 per cent of ticket holders [travelled] to the region for the event… bringing over 1800 people to the region, the event brought significant expenditure, supported local businesses, encouraged travel to the region, and increased the profile of Gilgandra.”
According to council, there was $906,629 in direct spending within the Gilgandra region generated by Under the Gums alone.
Post-event consultation with local businesses showed that local motels were booked out for the weekend, and half of local businesses surveyed saw a positive impact from the weekend; 43 per cent saw an increase in sales, and 86 per cent attended Under the Gums.
“General comments were very supportive, and one business indicated a 90 per cent increase in sales compared to the previous year,” states the November 21 business paper.
Ticket holders responded very positively to the events, with 97 per cent saying confidently they would be back next year.
Seventy-one (71) per cent attended activities across the weekend, not just Under the Gums, and 48 per cent “made a weekend of it.”
Four people indicated an interest in being involved in the planning crew for 2025.
The Goin’ to Gil and Under the Gums Planning Crews have already met to begin work towards the 2025 festivals.
A date of October 3 to 6, 2025 has been set, “honouring the anniversary of the re-enactment of the Coo-ee March,” states the business paper.
Approximately $84,000 in funding has already been secured for Goin’ to Gil Weekend and Under the Gums 2025.
