Arts & Culture
16 June, 2026
‘Massive’ community turnout for Good Times event
The organisers of the Good Times free community event held in the atrium of the Wingecarribee Council Civic Centre last Saturday have said they were ‘blown away’ by the ‘massive’ turnout.
The organisers of the Good Times free community event held in the atrium of the Wingecarribee Council Civic Centre last Saturday have said they were ‘blown away’ by the ‘massive’ turnout.
“We were blown away by the massive community turnout for the Good Times event which wrapped around our Annual Art Show,” Tania PD McInnes from the St Vincent de Paul Creative Space initiative told The Southern Wire.
“We counted at least 150 people in attendance and have made 6 sales of artworks so far!
The Annual Art Show, now in its ninth year, incorporates 74 artworks hung on the walls around the council’s atrium painted by 34 members of the Creative Space art team, and are mostly all for sale.
The event incorporated amazing acrobatic performances by ‘Empress Stah’ and her team from Zero Central Circus as well as a musical performance on the atrium balcony by Interchange Southern Highlands’ Higher than High’ band, which got everybody up and dancing and calling for an encore.
There were also food platters with nibblies by the CS Healthy Food Crew and a Sensory Space for those who needed a break from the celebrations located in the council theatrette.
“How wonderful it was to quite literally take over the atrium space with a tall aerial rig and awe-inspiring acrobatics as well as a band playing from the balcony and people dancing below!”, Ms. McInnes added.
“Folks have shared with us how they enjoyed the warm atmosphere, meeting up with old friends and enjoying the day with newfound connections. This is what our Vinnies service is all about – making space for interaction founded in kindness in relaxed and welcoming spaces. The activated nature of the event also meant that it was vital for there to also be an adequate quieter and sensory focused space. This was installed and overseen by our friends at Highlands Community Centres.”
Ms. McInnes also emphasised that it was great to have an Acknowledgment of Country by Aunty Joyce as well as an appearance by St Vincent de Paul State President Peter Houweling.
“Mr. Houweling was in attendance and thanked all our amazing volunteers and working group, who quite literally keep Creative Space running from day to day,” she said.
“You may not have seen them much, as they were working so hard, our very own CS Healthy Food Crew, an emerging activity of our outreach program, ably led by our Community Development Coordinator Marietta. This was such a lovely opportunity to share some warming and wholesome food together.”
The Art Show will run in the Civic Centre atrium until midday on Thursday 2 July.
“On that same day, as well as offering an outreach session from Moss Vale TAFE, CSCO will also offer a full day of gentle sensory activities from 10am – 2pm again in the Council Theatrette in partnership with HCC,” Ms. McInnes added.
“Anyone is welcome to drop in. All CSCO activities are free with an option to donate if or when people are able.”
To purchase an artwork and the information about it, contact Tania McInnes on 0417 847 492, or email her at tania.mcinnes@vinnies.org.au.
There are guided tours of the exhibition for small groups on request. (Visitors are also welcome to take photographs, please credit artist if posting online).
And for more information on the St Vincent de Paul Creative Space, visit the website at https://www.vinnies.org.au/nsw/find-help/inclusion/creative-space-community-outreach.
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