General News
20 March, 2026
Koori Karnival on Saturday
THE Warrnambool Showgrounds is the place to be tomorrow (Saturday), with a free community day planned.
The Koori Karnival returns at the showgrounds between 10am and 4pm with a range of fun, family-friendly activities.
The Karnival is a collaborative event, sponsored by the Koori Way and coordinated by the four south west Aboriginal health services – Kirrae Health Service, Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation, Dhauwurd Wurrung Elderly and Community Health Service (DWECH) and Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative.
This free community event is created by mob, for mob.
It is proudly sponsored by The Koori Way, a state-wide population health promotion campaign aimed at tackling indigenous smoking.
It is led by Aboriginal community controlled health organisations across the state.
The Koori Way aims to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by reducing nicotine usage through population health promotion activities such as the Koori Karnival.
The Karnival will be a nicotine-free space, encouraging mob to live, work and play in smoke free places.
“The Karnival will once again feature some wonderful things to see and do for visitors of all ages,” Thalia Robertson-Wilson, health promotion coordinator with Kirrae Health Services said.
“Visitors can enjoy Blak markets, a roller rink, creative projector art for people to have a try, pony rides and reptile encounters.”
Inflatables, obstacle courses and a rockwall will keep the young and young at heart amused, as will the Willow and Saige fairy kingdom and a giant sandpit.
Local Indigenous musicians Amos Roach, Richard Franklin, Brett Clarke, Prosper, Indigo McKeon and Jayden Lillyst will perform throughout the day.
“There will also be a polling booth for The First People’s Assembly and cultural activities such as basket weaving and story telling,” Thalia said.
And visitors won’t leave hungry, with a range of food trucks on-site including coffee, icecream, donuts and Mullum Mullum (Indigenous food).
