The population of Googong is set to double when its annual award-winning music festival rolls into town.
The next Googfest, a free live music event of “Googonian proportions”, will run at Rockley Oval on 15 February from 5-9pm.
The headline act is pop sensation Samantha Jade, with Matthew Charles Band and Last Call as the support acts.
Googong is located on the NSW and ACT border, 16 kilometres southeast of Canberra.
Mirvac Group, in partnership with Peet Limited, first developed Googong Township in 2012, with the first residents moving in by 2014.
Matthew Charles’ first hour-long set will see him DJ, sing and rap, while he will be accompanied by a full band on stage for the second set.
Last Call will play filthy blues and soul.
Googong Township community development manager Sam Remmers said it was exciting to have Samantha Jade – whose music has amassed more than 81 million streams – as the headliner.
“We haven’t done pop in a little while so I’m excited to see how the audience responds to a pop icon,” she said.
“She’s a pocket rocket and good live so I think it’s a nice change.”
Ms Remmers said the 2024 festival brings between six to eight thousand people to the Googong township.
“The population of Googong was 8,000 in November 2024, so it doubles,” she said.
“The main purpose of this event really is for Googonians to have the opportunity to invite their family and friends from the region.
“We’ve seen interstate people come too.
“The purpose is to see the community of Googong and showcase Googong, because it really is a special place.”
Ms Remmers said the organisers engaged as many local suppliers as possible.
“It’s not something we benefit from; it’s a free family event so I wouldn’t say it’s economic at all, but it’s definitely about the community and about bringing people together, that’s what we’re all about,” she said.
“It’s so hard for people to do anything out of the norm because of the cost-of-living crisis.”
She said while there would be food trucks on site, attendees were welcome to bring their own food.
Ms Remmers said the festival also catered for all ages.
Googfest was named Queanbeyan-Palerang Region Community Event of the Year at the recent Australia Day Awards for its 2024 festival
“It’s absolutely awesome,” Ms Remmers said.
“I think that is recognition for the wonderful community we’ve created at Googong, and recognition for Googonians.
“This is a very proud moment for the community.
“It was created for the township to bring people in.”
For more information on the festival, visit googong.net/news-and-events/events/googfest-2025
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