We'll send you a price list on request. In it are the individual hire prices, and package prices on selected groups of rides that go well together. The hire price includes all set-up costs, supervision by our trained operators, lighting of the rides at night, and GST. Generators are included with some rides, but otherwise can be hired at an additional cost.

Many schools opt for hiring rides on profit share rather than by paying the hire fee. If all goes well we stand to make more on this basis than we do on hiring at a set fee, so we are happy to oblige. However, the advantages to the schools are that they don't risk a cent on wet weather or any other factor influencing the size of the crowd on the day.

1 Form a committee: The key to success is a well organised, active, enthusiastic, & motivated Committee. The main positions to be filled are:

• Convenor/s
• Treasurer
• Secretary

2 Select the right date: prepare a short-list of preferred dates, then check the days don’t “clash” with school camps, or other events being held in your area including:

• Local or regional Agricultural Shows
• Private/Public school Fetes
• Community Festivals
• Major sporting events such as the Rugby League Grand Final

Once confirmed, inform other school and Festival committees in the general district of your fete and the date chosen.

3 Book the amusement rides: Select an amusement operator who can provide a quality product and professional service. Your decision should not be influenced by high-pressure sales tactics or cheap “giveaways”. Ask the operator for a list of events they are attending as see them “in action”. There’s no better way of ensuring you are getting what you are promised, and what the committee is paying for!

4 Research: Source all available information of previous Fetes held at the school. Ex Fete Convenors are the best place to start. Find out what worked and what didn’t. A Fete/Fundraising file should be kept by all P&C/P&F Committees. If not, establish one for your reference, and that of future committees – otherwise, enormous time and effort can be wasted “re-inventing the wheel”!

5 Visit other Fetes in your area: this is not “spying”, just the “sharing of ideas” and can be a great source of potential performers, entertainers, suppliers, donations, & sponsors.

6 Stalls and activities: appoint coordinators to each stall & activity. Coordinators may come from parents, friends, volunteers, or school classes. Include a Fete Flyer in the school newsletter or website, with a page listing each stall, convenor and convenor’s email/mobile contact details. Typical activities to be organised may include:

7 Develop a Map: A map of the school grounds & oval can be drawn identifying the location of all stalls, food, entertainment & rides. Atmosphere is essential. Ensure the layout is not too spread, though allow enough room for public thoroughfares and queuing. The availability of power is a major determining factor in the layout. Whilst the rides are normally self-sufficient, many of the stalls & food activities will require power, especially those with heating elements such as Fryers & Urns. An electrician may be required to confirm power supplies, especially in older schools where “tripping” can be a common and frustrating problem on the day. An on-site meeting with the Amusement operator is recommended. Issues such as area requirements and access can be confirmed. Have a “wet weather” or fall-back plan available, in the event of the oval being wet and inaccessible. This may involve re-locating the stalls around the school buildings, with the rides operating in the car park.

8 Promotion/advertising: The big advantage schools have over community based organisations is the children enrolled – this is a “captured audience”. Encourage all students to attend the fete through their involvement in performances; the purchasing of “pre-sold” ride passes; & the assisting with stalls. Other conventional forms of advertising are required to attract the greater community. Banners, signs, newspaper articles, leaflet drops, & radio are all effective methods of “spreading the word”.

9 Financials: Set aside a secure area such as the main office, for the collection and storing of money. Each stall or activity should have it’s own collection bag, and a column in the Accounts Book, for the recording of takings throughout the event.

10 After the Fete: Once the event has finished, acknowledge & reward those volunteers who gave up their time to ensure your event was a success. A BBQ is a great way of using up left over food and is really appreciated by the helpers. “Thank you” letters and Certificates of Appreciation can be sent to sponsors, plus organisations who donated goods.