Woop Woop Mini Golf & Sculpture Gardens at Harcourt has reopened its doors and is inviting everyone to come together for a free community day and fundraiser as part of the symbolic ‘Harcourt Reopen’ event this Saturday February 21.
From 9am to 4pm, the focus is simple. The gates are open. Entry is free. There’ll be a free sausage sizzle, free activities for kids and adults, and free mini golf for all ages.
Woop Woop owner Judy Gleeson said everyone is welcome to roam and explore the venue’s four acres of sculpture gardens —to wander, sit, play, share a laugh, or simply take it all in.
The day is open to Harcourt locals, friends and families, and the wider community.
“The event is also a chance for well-wishers from outside the area to come along, spend time in Harcourt, and connect with the local community in a relaxed, informal way,” Judy said.
Woop Woop itself was also affected by the fires. Judy said there was damage to plants, the mini golf course, infrastructure, a pergola and some of the sculptures, but she’s clear that it pales in comparison to what many others in the community have lost.
“If the fire had come just 30 metres closer, the sculpture gardens, the buildings and our home would have been gone,” Gleeson said.
“I honestly don’t know how the many CFA volunteers, emergency services and other volunteers stopped it so close. I can’t thank them enough.”
The fire raged through the nearby creek bed that borders the expansive sculpture gardens created by former owners Andy and Melva Graham and burnt right up to the edge of the newly completely mini golf course.
“We only just finished building the nine hole course at the start of December and it really complements what Melva and Andy built here. We’d had a great response in the first part of the school holidays and we’d just hosted our first children’s party,” Judy said.
“We’ve opened up to our friends in the Harcourt community in the wake of the fire, just to give the kids a space to go and take their minds off things for a little while. It’s such a lovely place to spend a few hours,” Judy said.
Alongside the free activities, the February 21 event will include a Jumbo Fundraiser Auction with funds to go to the Harcourt Progress Relief Group to support community members and local businesses affected by recent events. A Mega Raffle will also be held, with funds raised going to the Harcourt CFA and their families. Judy said more than 87 local businesses have generously donated prizes to the Auction or raffle. “We have had some incredibly generous donations. We will be auctioning off everything from an in-home performance by Mayor and muso Cr Tony Heydon, Harcourt Football Netball Club identity and fire hero ‘Buzz’ Nunn’s famous thongs, a sculpture by Sir Leslie Thornton, and lots more items (you’ll need to be there on the day to bid on those!). To bid on the auction items and purchase raffle tickets visit https://app.galabid.com/help-harcourt-heal/items
Gleeson said offering everything for free was an intentional choice.
“This is our way of giving back,” she said. “It’s about opening the doors, helping people and well-wishers connect again, and reminding ourselves that community really matters.”
There are no bookings or tickets required.
“People can just turn up,” Gleeson said. “Come as you are. Have a bit of fun. Spend time together.”
You can find Woop Woop at 171 Blackjack Road, Harcourt. Opening hours are Sat 10-8, Sun 10-5. Visit woop-woop.au for more information.