Council invests in community events to connect and grow Region
Published on 29 October 2025
Five much-loved community events have received a major boost this week, with Rockhampton Regional Council endorsing a $140,000 commitment over two years to support regional growth and strengthen community ties.
Forming part of the Community Assistance Program (CAP), the events include the Rockhampton Eisteddfod, Golden Mount Festival, Ridgelands Show, Rockhampton Dance Festival and CQ Motor Sport Club’s Gold Rush Hill Sprint. Each event will receive funding for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 financial years.
Rockhampton Regional Council Deputy Mayor and Communities Culture and Heritage Councillor Drew Wickerson said Council was proud to endorse new multi-year funding for these key community events.
“This investment reflects Council’s commitment to building a more connected, vibrant community and attracting visitors to support our businesses and boost our regional economy,” Cr Wickerson said.
“The variety of events supported by CAP funding is just fantastic.”
“Events like the Rockhampton Eisteddfod which sees young people perform on stage as an instrument of creative expression, the Gold Rush Hill Sprint, which attracts visitors from all over Australia to race up the Mount Morgan Range and the Ridgelands Show which continues to connect and build the surrounding community.”
Rockhampton Eisteddfod President Dr Les Killion said the Eisteddfod Association greatly values Council’s sponsorship, which helps to defray some of the considerable and associated costs.
“If we were to count the numbers of young people who compete at the Eisteddfod, for example in school choirs, musical ensembles, bands, orchestras, speech choirs, together with soloists, the number who are on stage is somewhere in the vicinity of 5,000-6,000 each year,” Dr Killion said.
“While the Rockhampton community has lifted beyond its weight when it comes to national and international ‘superstars’, equally the Eisteddfod has provided opportunities for young people to grow in self-esteem and confidence as they perform on stage.”
“The Rockhampton Eisteddfod typically attracts entries from Rockhampton, the Capricorn Coast, Mackay, Gladstone, Biloela, Emerald, Bundaberg and from time to time, Brisbane and Townsville.”
Cr Wickerson said Council was confident the investment in the Community Assistance Program is repaid tenfold in increased visitation to the Region, support for local businesses and more connected communities.
“Council was pleased to endorse the five key community festivals and events, but we also know that funding can be a big help to many other local non-profit sporting, cultural or fundraising organisations,” Cr Wickerson said.
“We want to remind the community that we are still accepting applications for local and regional and Australia Day events for Round Two 2025/26 of the Community Assistance Program,” said Cr Wickerson.
“The main criteria is that the events and projects enhance the region’s well-being, so please get your applications in before the next closing date next Monday 3 November 2025.”
For more information and how to apply, contact Council Community Services on 4936 8368 or visit our website.
Further Information: Multi-Year Annual CAP Funding 2025/26 and 2026/27.
- Rockhampton Eisteddfod - $20,000
- Mount Morgan ‘Golden Mount Festival - $15,000
- Ridgelands Show - $10,000
- Rockhampton Dance Festival - $15,000
- Central Queensland Motor Sport Club – Gold Rush Hill Sprint - $10,000