LUCINDALE became the hub of Australian music on Saturday night as more than 15,000 people descended on Yakka Park for Triple J’s One Night Stand.
South Australia’s own Hilltop Hoods headlined the mammoth event, which saw the small country town’s population balloon around 30-fold, injecting an estimated $15m into the Limestone Coast economy.
A bolstered police presence resulted in only a handful of minor incidents, with emergency services and organisers praising behaviour both on Limestone Coast roads and at the venue.
The major music event – which was broadcast nationally – also provided the platform for Mount Gambier band Chelsea Manor’s first gig after it won a Triple J Unearthed competition.
Naracoorte Lucindale Mayor Erika Vickery – whose council was pivotal in providing extra resources to support the influx of visitors – was thrilled with the overall event.
“There was a fantastic vibe to the whole town and across the whole Limestone Coast,” Ms Vickery said.
“Everyone was happy and cheerful and so polite to one another.
“The artists themselves were fantastic and really related to the audience and had them engaged.”
Ms Vickery praised the Lucindale community for its efforts, with service clubs and volunteers playing key roles behind the scenes.
“The whole community at Lucindale are thrilled with how it went and many enjoyed the overall atmosphere of the event” she said.
“The same feeling spread throughout the whole Limestone Coast with even Naracoorte getting into the swing of things.”
Ms Vickery highlighted the event’s economical benefit with accommodation fully booked across most of the region.
“One Night Stand has generated a significant benefit for the whole Limestone Coast,” she said.
“Businesses across the Limestone Coast would have experienced an increase in customers, especially those who work in hospitality.
“Anyone who had anything to do with organising the event, including our emergency services, Lion’s Club and community as a whole need to be congratulated for the way it was run.”
Lucindale One Night Stand committee member Kate Rayner – a key figure in attracting the event to Lucindale – said the group was overjoyed with proceedings.
“We have been through an incredible event and I think we are all just realising what we have done,” Ms Rayner said.
“We have received a lot of positive feedback from Triple J as well as visitors and the community.
“We were even told that it was the best One Night Stand ever.”
Ms Rayner said the Lucindale community had “great big smiles” plastered on their faces.
“We did have a few issues with EFTPOS machines but we were able to open the post office so people could get cash out,” she said.
“That was the only real issue we had.”
An unprecented event for the rural community, Ms Rayner said it was such an “unknown” to both the committee and the community.
“The fact that Triple J are happy and the community are happy as well as artists and visitors shows that we can do this,” she said.
“We are so pleased that we were able to bring this event to the Limestone Coast and that people who would not usually come here could come here and see what we can do.”
Headliner Hilltop Hoods also gave a ‘shout-out’ to Lucindale’s football and netball teams which competed in Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara grand finals on Saturday, with the football losing to Mundulla, while the Roos defeated Keith on the court.
“It was just a fantastic night over all and we are so pleased with the results,” Ms Rayner said.
Speaking to The South Eastern Times at the event, Hilltop Hoods member Daniel Smith said the group was happy to be back in the Limestone Coast, having previously performed in Mount Gambier.
“We have played in Mount Gambier twice before but Lucindale would have to be the smallest area we have played in,” they said.
“It is extra special to have a large event like this in a small town where the entire region has just really come together and rallied behind.”
