Old and Gold Festival delivers boost to Brunswick Heads amid tough conditions

AFTER the cancellation of the Bluesfest-affiliated Streets Alive Festival in March, Brunswick Heads tourism representatives were pleased to see people out and about enjoying the Old and Gold Festival last weekend.

The event featured three vintage fairs organised by the not-for-profit Brunswick Heads Tourist & Information Centre, more than 60 garage sales across the town and live performances by local bands.

Bush poet Ray Essery performed poetry set to music, while antique and vintage fine jeweller Sharni Sinclair offered Antiques Roadshow-style valuations in the Memorial Hall.

 

With local businesses facing reduced revenue due to paid parking, rising rents and ongoing cost-of-living pressures, the festival provided a welcome financial boost.

Organiser Cherie Heale said the event was originally founded in 2002 as a financial stimulus during the quieter winter months.

“That was the inspiration behind it – locals could make a bit of extra cash and spend it in town,” she said.

 

“It feels like it’s needed again because things are really slow. It can be quite busy on weekends, but not as busy as it used to be, and weekdays aren’t busy at all.”

While some attendees were frustrated to receive parking fines on the day, Heale said the overall response to the event was positive.

“It felt really good to have Old and Gold on,” she said. “It’s just such a fun vibe. The weather was perfect. After all the rain we had we were crossing our fingers and we got a week of sunshine first, so the ground dried up, then it was nice on the day before it rained again on Sunday.”

 

While Byron Shire Council advanced funding to the visitor centre to keep its doors open this year, Heale said its long-term future remains uncertain amid declining corporate donations.

She thanked the event’s major sponsors, including Hotel Brunswick, Stone & Wood Brewing Co. and Old Maids, for their vital support.

She also encouraged people to support future festivals by “tipping the town” through micro-donations via the Tippy Tip app.