What's On Tablelands October 2018 - FINAL EDITION | Page 7

TORIMBA FESTIVAL
50 years
egin!
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Photos: Steven Nowakowski
Let the party b
or two weeks in October, the township of Ravenshoe will
be partying like it never has! On its 50th anniversary, the
Torimba Festival has plenty to celebrate and has a line up of
entertainment that shouldn’t be missed. This iconic festival
in far north Queensland has been part of the community
since 1969 when the first Festival Queen, Robyn Rankine, was
crowned.
Torimba originally started as a weekend festival, but quickly
extended to a week-long event when the “Festival of the
Forest” timber exhibition was introduced in 1972—it now
runs for two weeks! The festival brings all Tablelanders
together to celebrate community. 1985 saw the introduction
of themes for the festival. The festival commemorated
Australia’s bicentennial in 1988, then celebrated its milestone
21st birthday, and the Torimba Festival honoured the
wartime effort of the 6th, 7th and 9th Divisions who trained
in the Ravenshoe area and observed their own 50 year
anniversary in 1993. In 2002 the “Outback” theme proved
popular, and in 2009 the festival celebrated Queensland’s
150 years as a stat e with a “Looking Forward – Looking
Back” theme. For 2018, it’s all about “Let’s Party” so the party
atmosphere will be in full swing and loads of fun!
A festival highlight is always the “Festival of the Forest” which
will be opened this year by founding member Mr Athol
Kidner on Saturday 6 October at 12.30pm at Festival Hall on
Grigg Street. The timber display is Torimba’s showcase event
and will be open for the duration of the festival.
This year Torimba will be unveiling a major piece of
artwork to commemorate Ravenshoe’s timber history – The
Commemorative Tree. The sculpture, featuring a standing
tree with springboards and timber cutters, will be unveiled
on Saturday 5 October at 11am on the corner of Moore and
Ascham Streets. Funds for the structure have been donated
by Torimba, individuals and local businesses. Administrative
assistance from the Tablelands Regional Council over the past
two years has assisted a small group of dedicated people to
ensure the project is completed in time for the 50th.
rancesca
Xavier & F
Lucy & Yilonda
Octo ber hts
Highlig
Shae & Tiah
Alyssa & Gabrielle
Saturday 6th – Torimba Queen Entrant Cake Stall
Saturday 6th – "Festival of the Forest" opens Festival Hall
Friday 12th – Ravenshoe Chamber of Commerce “Family
Fun Night" at Pony Club Grounds Wooroora Road
Saturday 13th – 2-5pm Woodchop outside Club Hotel
Saturday 13th – 3-8pm Torimba Parade and Carnival
Day featuring parade and floats, stalls, food, jumping
castles, merry-go-round, old fashioned games, lolly
'explosion', truck pull, fireworks and more.
Saturday 20th – Torimba Ball at Ravenshoe Town Hall
With a jam-packed program, there is something for everyone.
Throughout the two weeks of partying, past and present
festival Queens will be on hand to ensure celebrations go
smoothly, along with the little Miss and Master Torimba.
Events range from a wine and cheese evening, to arts and
crafts, photographic displays and the Torimba Parade and
Carnival Day a popular draw card and more.
The Torimba Festival continues to flourish and this
anniversary is yet another important milestone. We
encourage all Tablelanders to support this wonderful event
which will be remembered long after the party is over.
The full program of events is available at
www.torimbafestival.com.au
October 2018 What’s On & Where To Go 7