Welcome
Welcome to the Rotary Club of Maffra Mardi Gras page!
We are gearing up for Mardi Gras 2026!
2025 Street Carnival and Parade - Saturday, March 14th.
Theme - AUSTRALIANA!
Johnson St, Maffra 4pm - 8pm
The Rotary Club of Maffra Mardi Gras is a family fun day with a carnival like atmosphere. There will be face painting, an animal petting zoo, jumping castles and arcade games , music, a street parade with colourful floats, walking groups and vehicles, and plenty of food and craft stalls. We are very grateful to Wellington Shire Council for continuing funding and assistance with this event.
Entrants from local organisations such as community groups and schools take on a 6 week program of fundraising, culminating in the presentation on the evening of the Mardi Gras.
Thanks to the Community Bank, Maffra and District, cash prizes are awarded for the Parade Participants, floats, walking groups, etc, who best exemplify the theme.
The Maffra Mardi Gras was commenced in 1957 by a group of local businessmen who gathered together to raise money for the Maffra and District hospital. Each entrant was voted for with a penny. The winner was the one who collected the most penny votes.
Over sixty years later, little has changed, with a six week fund raising period where entrants and their committees raise as much money as they can from a variety of activities. In 2018 the event celebrated its Diamond Jubilee, making it the oldest running community event in the Wellington Shire!
In 2009 the Rotary Club of Maffra became the lead organisation because of their commitment to their community and because of insurance requirements. The following year, 2010 was their first Mardi Gras. The name was altered to the Rotary Club of Maffra Mardi Gras, reflecting that responsibility. After having a break due to Covid restrictions, the Mardi Gras started up again in 2023 and has continued to provide a fun, low cost day out for the community.
The concept of raising funds for community organisations has not altered over all this time with a variety of sporting clubs, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, aged care facilities and wildlife shelters having previously participated. The organisations keep all but a small percentage of funds raised, while the Rotary Club of Maffra return their share to community organisations annually when the Club makes their disbursements. In 2018 Stretton Park received a donation of $13,000, and in 2023 part of the funds went towards buying a new freezer for the Maffra Neighbourhood House.
In 2025 the theme was 'UNDER THE SEA' which led to a lot of jellyfish in walking groups and on floats! Also some sharks and some very creative approaches to the theme.
It was lovely to see so many happy, smiling faces on floats and in walking groups, as well as cheering them from the sidelines.
Four entrants, from the Maffra Municipal Band, Maffra Golf Club, Kath Foley Children's Centre and Kinder, and Stratford Primary School raised over $67
,000 between them in the 6 week fundraising period leading up to the event.
,000 between them in the 6 week fundraising period leading up to the event. The Rotary Club of Maffra welcomes community organisations and clubs from within the Wellington Shire to have an entrant in next year’s event. Guidelines and Nomination forms are available from kath@wideband.net.au They are seeking expressions of interest from Fundraising Entrants, market, craft and food stalls along with Parade Participants, such as floats, walking groups, trucks, vintage vehicles, etc. Please email maffra.mardigras@rotary9815.org.au or phone 0408 036 627.
Members of the public who would like to contribute to the organising of this iconic event are welcome to contact the club via the contact details above.
photos thanks to Sherise from sodacreatives.