Roll out the red carpet - the Alexandra Bowling Club is excited to be part of the iconic WoolOn fashion event in 2024 and believes it can deliver a high-class event.

The fashion show has had an interesting journey, starting at Molyneux Stadium with the annual shearing champs back in 2004, and then joining with the Alexandra Blossom Festival committee to bring a finale in Pioneer Park - one year it even had circus performers added to the mix.

In 2017 WoolOn broke away from the committee to form its own governance board, and took the event to an old fruit packing warehouse in Alexandra - where the catering was just as exceptional as the designer clothing.

Then in 2019 the event was cancelled just months out from taking the stage, after organisers failed to find an appropriate venue, and for the past two years it has been held at the Canyon near Bendigo.

WoolOn Fashion Society Inc chair Nigel Wilson came onboard then and admitted “we may have ruffled a few feathers by taking it away from Alexandra, but there was no option really.”

The Alexandra Bowling Club has since secured the rights and former events manager Paul Jerron was involved in the negotiation.

He said one of the WoolOn committee members came through to check out the facility even before last year’s event, and knew it was a great working space.

“It ticked all of the boxes.”

Paul now worked at Domaine Thomson winery as the cellar door manager, and Alan Motion has taken over as interim events co-ordinator until they find a replacement for the Alexandra Bowling Club.

“It is something that is out of left field for us and we know the committee will run it the way that they want it,” Alan said, referring to those involved in WoolOn.

Demand for the bowling club had been growing over the past two years, and organisers of many large events were now starting to enquire about their space.

“Many people didn’t know this space existed, but the conundrum is that we’re a bowling club,” and that meant they had to look after their own members first, before allowing other groups to use the space.

As well as lawn bowls, darts, pool and pétanque also shared the grounds both inside and out and the lounge and bar facilities.

The AGM for the WoolOn Creative Fashion Society Inc will be held tonight at Central Stories at 7pm for anyone interested in being involved.

Nigel said they were also keen to hear from people who wanted to help out, who may not necessarily want to be on the committee.

This year the show will be open to three Young Designer awards for those Under 12 (primary), Under 18 (secondary) and Under 25 (uni) students.