General News
25 November, 2025
Community collaborates for EB
Energy Breakthrough’s new traffic lights were a $15,000 com-munity effort shared between fifteen local organisations.
Any time there was a crash over last week’s Energy Breakthrough, drivers were warned by new LED panels.
The upgrade replaced over decade old traffic lights improving visibility and driver safety.
They could also be controlled by the team at the Event Operations Centre if a panel didn’t change as expected.
However, without community support, it never would have happened.
Energy Breakthrough site director Alisha Chadwick said the fundraising push came last minute after their plan for one organisation to pay for the upgrade fell through.
“We did put all our eggs in one basket to start with and they were unable to support them,” she said.
It meant she turned to Jeff Hoober, one of Energy Break-through’s original founders, whose family are community and event mainstays.
“We know everyone and they know us. It made it a hell of a lot easier,” he said.
While Mr Hoober said most businesses were receptive he was also met with doubt.
“Some business people said we can’t help and ... you’ve got no hope,” he said.
“So that just made me more determined.”
That determination became a success story with fifteen local groups contributing $1000 per panel.
The organisations, whose name and logo were put on the back of their panel, are:
Asteria Services
Bourke Hire
Carisbrook Lions Club
Graham Lean (twice)
International Taxation Services (ITS)
Jim’s Pool Care Central Goldfields
Lyal Eales
Martha Haylett
The Maryborough District Advertiser
Maryborough District Convey-ancing
Maryborough IGA
Maryborough Rotary Club
True Blue Brew
Vital Signs
Waste Recyclers Victoria
Mr Hoober said he gave his “sincere thanks” to all those who contributed.
Ms Chadwick echoed his sentiments while also thanking Mr Hoober and his family for their years of effort.
“His family are a huge support for this event and we really appreciate that,” she said.
“Ask them to do anything and they’ll do it.”