Narrandera’s Rockin’ on East Festival has unfortunately been discontinued following the sudden disbandment of its organising committee.
The festival has been attracting visitors from far and wide to Narrandera during the October long weekend since its inception a little over nine years ago.
After the committee chairperson unexpectedly stepped down last month, the committee discussed appointing a new chairperson or potentially taking a recess. Ultimately, it was decided that the festival could not proceed.
According to long-time Rockin’ on East treasurer Tony Andracchio, the committee was already deep in preparations for this year’s event before the decision was made to call it off.
“It was all for the community, it was for those who enjoyed the dancing part, and that’s how Rockin’ on East started,” he said.
“We were already planning for this year’s event”¦ we had all the bands and everything else booked and were going to organise it down the street this year, but unfortunately it fell through.
“Within 12 months, we lost three members, two of whom were chairpersons and another was a committee member”¦ which left us with only three people”¦ and so we called it quits.”
Since the decision was made to cease the festival, all monies that had been given by the sponsors in the lead-up to this year’s event have since been refunded.
The committee also decided to donate the remainder of their funds, totalling more than $16,000, to different community groups and charities.
Although the bulk of the money was donated to CanAssist Narrandera, other local groups such as the Hospital Auxiliary, St Vincent de Paul, Fusion’s Youth Work, Country Women’s Association, Air League Cadets and the Narrandera District Community Radio also received donations.
Mr Andracchio shared that there were a lot of disappointed people when the festival’s cessation was made known.
“We’ve been in touch with everybody, and many who have been coming for a long time were disappointed when we told them it wouldn’t be happening. It’s sad,” he said.
“It’s been successful for the last nine and a half years and it’s a blow for the town too because it’s another event gone.”
This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 27 June 2024.
