General News
6 April, 2026
Carnival thriving on great traditions
AN ARMY of volunteers is ready to welcome thousands of people to Rheola Pioneers’ Park for the 153rd charity carnival today.
Committee members have spent the past 12 months planning for the district’s biggest event of the year blending traditon and family fun.
Rheola Charity Carnival was named one of the shire’s community events of the year on Australia Day.
President Matt Catto said: “We’ll have locals, families returning home for Easter and many great friends of the carnival welcoming another great crowd to Rheola.
“There’ll be familiar faces and new selling tickets on the spinning wheel or running the bazaar and food stalls.
“Others will be working away in the background or making sure activities like the tractor pull and Rheola Gift run like clockwork.
“And why do we do it? It’s for the community and supporting the hospitals in Inglewood and Dunolly.
“Our families have been doing this for more than 150 years and it’s a tradition today’s generations are proud and committed to continuing.”
Mr Catto said the traditional format for the day “keeps ageing well”.
Displays by Wedderburn Historic Engine and Machinery Society and Inglewood Car Club were as much a part of creating the day’s atmosphere as the running events and tossing the sheaf, he said.
Miss Rheola Carnival Girl will be judged after the official, opening.
Mr Catto also praised the continued sponsorship from Loddon and regional businesses.
“Some of our sponsors have been part of making the Rheola Charity Carnival possible for many decades,” he said.
“This support has again made our preparations for the carnival so much easier, knowing there is such wonderful backing.
“So, yes, we’re all ready to go to welcome friends old and new to the 153rd carnival at Rheola on Monday,” he said.
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