UPDATED, December 29, 2023:
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Koroit will host a New Year's Eve event after it was at threat of not going ahead.
It will be the first time a community event has run in the town in more than 50 years.
Musician and Koroit resident Danielle Stearman said it would run at the village green from 5pm to 8pm on Sunday, December 31, 2023.
"It will just be some live music and a good opportunity to have a picnic and do something for NYE," Ms Stearman said.
She said Koroit was at risk of losing the event because of her late idea in the year to run it.
"It meant I was left to the 11th hour," Ms Stearman said.
"The Moyne Shire Council worked as quick as they could with the approvals.
"Due to it being a time sensitive event and all the paperwork hasn't left much time so it will just be simple and fun this year."
She said Koroit butchers Meat @ Beany's would cook up a storm on the barbecue while Noodledoof Brewing Co. would have drinks for sale.
Ms Stearman said people could also bring their own food and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
"Bring your own picnic, we'll have some tables and chairs," she said.
The musician, her students from South West Coast Performing Arts, and Koroit band The Flannelette's will be the entertainment for the night.
Ms Stearman said there would also be games, competitions and challenges to keep people entertained.
She said while this year's event was self-funded, she hoped it would return next year with the support of a grant.
"We hope if people come we can do it next year," Ms Stearman said.
It is supported by the Koroit Lions Club, the Koroit Irish Festival and the council.
EARLIER, December 6, 2023:
Koroit will host a New Year's Eve event for the first time in more than 50 years.
Musician and Koroit resident Danielle Stearman is the mastermind behind the family-friendly event, which will run on the village green on December 31, 2023.
"It's exciting and honestly I'm relieved because I won't have to load my family into a car and be driving on the road and contending with parking and chaos," she said.
"There will be a great event happening right here in town."
Ms Stearman said the event would also give Koroit's hospitality industry a boost.
"We won't be sending all of that money to other places on the night so that really feels like a small win for our town too," she said.
Ms Stearman and husband Scott Cain have headlined various New Year's Eve events over the years, including Glenelg Shire's annual celebration.
"We have seen first-hand how awesome these kinds of free community events can be," she said.
"We moved to Koroit about two years ago and this year I started teaching singing at the local theatre.
"So it really started from asking people what Koroit did for New Year's and so many people were saying they hadn't seen an event here for 50 to 60 years."
She said the village green was the perfect place to run the event.
"We have a great stage area that has been built and a large lawn space here so why send everyone out of town?" Ms Stearman said.
"This year might be self-funded and drawn from people coming together to make it happen but we definitely feel like it's going to be a great way to spend a few hours outside, entertained and surrounded by awesome local people."
Ms Stearman said because of the late notice of planning the event organisers had to turn to the community and businesses for sponsorship.
"If this year is a success then we will be able to apply for funding next year via council to make it bigger and better again," she said.
Ms Stearman said the event was supported by the Moyne Shire Council, which had helped with permit application inquiries and the use of equipment, and the Koroit Lions Club.