Humble school fetes are transforming into mini Melbourne Shows, attracting big crowds with an array of amusement park rides, popup bars, gourmet food stalls and valuable prizes. The schools transforming ovals into festival sites this spring spend big on the events to raise funds for facilities, with the biggest profits coming from sponsorships (particularly from real estate agents), ride tickets and silent auctions. Parents sip on their drinks at the bar at the Hampton Primary School Twilight Fete.
Credit: Simon Schluter At a primary school in Hawthorn East last year, fete auction prizes (donated by parents) included seven nights at a luxury Balinese hotel and a dinner for 10 at Chin Chin. This year, Lloyd Street Primary School parents in Malvern East keenly bid on a four-day grand prix ground pass ahead of its fair in October. Principal John Painter said the biannual event had two aims: fundraising for a new playground and fostering a sense of community.
“It creates these amazing memories for all our kids,” he said. “And it makes money for the school.” The bungee trampoline was popular with Hampton Primary School students.
Credit: Simon Schluter While Painter would not reveal how much money the school spends or receives from its fairs, profits from school fetes can be in the tens of thousands. Fintona Girls’ School, which is fundraising for its new multimillion-dollar performing arts centre, raised about $50,000 from Fintona Festival in 2022. In 2023, the Trinity G.