News
2 March, 2025
Raffle baffles Lowood
“Let us run our raffles!” That’s the call from the Lowood Community Action Group (LCAG) to a property manager after the volunteer organisation was unceremoniously told it was no longer able to hold BBQs at all or raffles without paying a fee.
Adding to the LCAG’s frustrations were claims by the property management, PowerCat, that it had received “complaints from tenants within the centre.” However, LCAG president Jennie Martin said she had taken the time to speak to all three businesses—Drakes, a bottleshop, and an Indian restaurant—who were adamant they didn’t file a complaint.
In fact, Ms Martin said Drakes advocated for them to stay, the bottleshop would purchase sausages and raffle tickets from them, and the local Indian restaurant offered a monthly donation to help.
PowerCat told Ms Martin the primary reason they were not allowing BBQs and stalls was due to having “complaints from tenants within the centre, as it affects their business sales for the day.” This was a different response PowerCat gave to The Sentinel when asked earlier this month. In a previous statement, PowerCat said, “The owner of the property has supported various local charities and community groups over the last several years and has done so at its sole cost.”
“Due to the associated insurance liabilities incurred by the owner, they are unable to continue providing this support.”
PowerCat did not respond to new questions by The Sentinel, including for details about the alleged complaint, insurance concerns and costs, or comment on Ms Martin’s claims.
Ms Martin said LCAG may never hold BBQs again, but they would love to hold raffles without a fee. “The raffles are our main money-maker,” she said. Ms Martin alleged that the property manager said raffles could be held, but with a “$200 per day fee.” The Sentinel sought confirmation about this fee from PowerCat but received no reply.
LCAG had been holding five two-week raffles throughout the year, with volunteers stationed out the front of Drakes every day from Monday to Friday during those two weeks.
Ms Martin said that LCAG was fully insured, including their volunteers. “We are fully covered. If somebody had an accident due to our BBQs or raffle, they would go to us for it, not the owner,” she said. “We have done markets, festivals, raffles, BBQs and more over 10 years and have never once had an insurance claim.”
The LCAG has been holding its fundraising BBQ and raffles out the front of Drakes for over five years, with funds going into community projects and supporting locals in need.
