COVID lockdowns and restrictions have seen countless events cancelled and postponed since the pandemic began, but charities are taking a hit with fundraising opportunities reduced.
The Great Aussie Rock Afternoon supporting children's charity Variety has been held in the Redlands at the Grand View Hotel since 2017, and in its fifth year it plans to be bigger and better than ever.
The event was set to be held July 17, but organisers were forced to reschedule when south-east Queensland's recent COVID outbreak compromised the event's ability to run as usual.
Founder of team "Aussie Rock" Stephen Whittam and his wife Sue from Ormiston have raised more than $435,000 for Variety through annual events over 12 years.
But Mr Whittam said the uncertainty surrounding restrictions and lockdowns since the pandemic began had limited their fundraising capacity.
"COVID has made it difficult for all charities - just like businesses," he said.
"2020 was very difficult because the public response to the bushfires was fantastic, but it soaked up a lot of money that then wasn't available for other charities.
"Then came COVID and with lockdowns [and restrictions] fundraising events pretty much dried up.
"Like most people we just kept on deferring things till we finally managed to run our Great Aussie Rock afternoon in late November (usually July)."
The event raises funds to help kids with significant life challenges, providing much needed equipment to allow them to live their lives as normal as possible.
Aussie Rock also issues ongoing scholarships for local recipients approved by Variety.
Having postponed The Great Aussie Rock Afternoon once last year and again this year, Mr Whittam said it was all part of adjusting to a new normal.
"I think we are all becoming a little more used to the idea of sudden lockdowns, and we can all appreciate why they are necessary but we have such an emotional and physical investment in these, its so hard to stop and pivot, but that's just what you have to do," he said.
Mr Whittam said he would spend nearly $4000 on local businesses to bring the event together, but the date change had impacted the planning process significantly.
"I've had to reschedule, the stage, generator, portaloos, temporary fencing, jumping castle and face painters, plus we had to find a time for the band and the Grand View Hotel that would work, and we have had to reprint handouts, change social media marketing, and reschedule our volunteers," he said.
Although future lockdowns and restrictions remain uncertain, Mr Whittam hoped the mask mandate would be lifted before the event as scheduled to make it the best it could be.
"Everybody needs these type of events," he said. "The money is critical to fund the programs we have for helping kids, but the community needs events like this to have fun with a live band and get dancing.
"It's a community coming together which is missing in lockdown and it can't be replicated on Netflix."
Team Aussie Rock run two other events throughout the year. The Dinner Dance which raised more than $27,000 this year and a Ladies Big Night Out.
The Great Aussie Rock Afternoon will be held August 21 from 1pm featuring music on stage, a dance floor, food trucks, a sausage sizzle and activities for kids including face painting and a jumping castle.
Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased at the Grand View Hotel or by phoning 07 3884 3000.
Emily Lowe
Redland City Bulletin journalist covering community, politics, crime and human interest stories. Griffith University Alumni.
Redland City Bulletin journalist covering community, politics, crime and human interest stories. Griffith University Alumni.
