Future up in the air for Coolum festival
19 February 2010
The skies above Coolum may be without colour this October if organisers of the iconic IGA Coolum Kite Festival are not able to find anyone to takeover the organisation of the vibrant community event.
Following nine successful years, festival committee members have stepped down allowing an opportunity for someone with fresh ideas, enthusiasm and energy to take the festival to new heights.
The event now attracts over 45,000 visitors to the region each year and has become a major drawcard on the tourism calendar.
The vibrant event, which has grown in popularity over the years, has attracted some of the best national and international kite flyers as well as our nation’s top kite surfers for one of Australia ‘s biggest downwind events, the ‘Off the Lip’ kite surfing challenge.
Former Festival President, Gem Lewis believes that it would be a real tragedy if one of the most impressive community festivals in Australia does not go ahead.
“We sincerely hope that we are able to find someone who shares our passion for the community to take over the organisation of the event. It has been a fantastic journey and the commitment from everyone to make this one of Australia’s most successful and internationally recognised kite festivals has been incredible,” said Gem.
The committee have appealed for applications and are not limiting their search to Coolum due to the impressive scale of the event which is now one of Australia ‘s largest and most vibrant kite festivals.
“While it is time for us to welcome someone new with a fresh approach to keep the festival flying, the current committee would lend support to the new organiser to pass on the knowledge, experience, intellect and framework that has made the festival a huge success in the past.”
The festival boasts an exceptional reputation as one of Australia ‘s most vibrant community events and over the years has become well renowned not only here in Australia but amongst the international kite flying fraternity as well.
The festival has enormous potential for sponsors and tourism. Despite the current setbacks organisers’ hopes are still flying high as they foresee a huge capacity for development of the festival’s future.
Anyone interested in applying should contact info@coolumkitefestival.com or for further information visit www.coolumkitefestival.com.
Ends.
[nggallery id=9]
