How community events can shape new Canberra and its surrounding NSW suburbs

Large-scale community events have been a distant memory until recently, with the interruption thanks to COVID and the preceding summer bushfires.

Cancellations were to be expected and our hope and excitement for gatherings were dwindling.

The impact it had on our sense of community was obvious. Our disconnect from each other had an enormous bearing on our mental health and, even when we were able to gather in small groups again, there was a certain enthusiasm lacking in our societal psyche.

Whether we realised it or not, it demonstrated that gathering together – for whatever reason – is essential for our community spirit and general wellbeing.

When it comes to community events, there’s one township that does them best – Googong.

It all started with Googfest back in 2015, when Dami Im headlined and a mere 8000 people showed up to be part of the action.

Since then, it’s hosted a multitude of community events, and while Googfest was the one that started them all, it’s the township’s “Boogong” Halloween festival that really brings the crowds.

Before COVID, it was drawing about 12,000 people and after a four-year hiatus, it’s finally making a comeback. On Saturday, from 5pm to 9pm, ghosts, ghouls and zombies are assembling among the gravestones for the creepy carnival.

This year’s Boogong will see a host of spectacular performers roam in the crowd, which is expected to reach the 10,000 mark. They include the Sydney Fire Dancers, living-dead-themed aerialists, a comedy axe juggler and beloved local DJ Clique providing terrifying tunes.

You can BYO your own picnic or indulge in the offerings from the 10 food vendors.

The best part? The event is free and purely hosted for the benefit of locals.

“Whilst Googonians have enjoyed a number of COVID-friendly community events like our Thai Street Food night, Mother’s Day and Googala parties, driveway portrait series, and more, over the past couple of years, they are excited to see our larger events like Boogong back in the regional must-see calendar,” says Googong senior project director Malcolm Leslie.

“Events like Boogong bring people from around the region to the town. So it’s a great way for us to showcase the town’s progress over recent years.

“It also brings Googonians together in a genuinely fun way, and they love inviting their friends and family to come out and join in.”

Leslie believes that Googong’s community events are a really important part of defining the township.

“People are seeking a place where they belong and where they can count on their neighbours,” he says.

“Building this township from scratch, it was really important we facilitated this neighbourly connection through things like community events.

“It was important before COVID, but now we’ve realised how fundamental it is to our society and our wellness.

Check out our top listing in Googong:

$431,000-$528,000

New Land, Googong NSW 2620

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Agent: Googong Township Realty 1300 446 646