Melanie Riley
THE New Years Eve Festival at Vansittart Park has been cancelled for 2023, but there may still be celebrations, as the City of Mount Gambier investigate ideas.
The popular event is run by a community committee, and Mount Gambier Community Events Management Inc chair Scott Turner said that he was saddened by the decision to cancel.
“I am sad and upset that we have had to cancel the event for the year,” he said.
Mr Turner has been on the committee since 2019 and said this year, there were several issues that led to the cancellation including the considerable workload with a limited committee, loss of funding and rising costs to stage the event.
He said that there were high hopes that these issues could be solved and the event would make a return in 2024, and he extended thanks for the support of past events.
“The local community deserves a big thank you as they have supported the event and have clearly indicated they value the event and want to see it continue,” he said.
“It is very much a family inclusive activity that all can enjoy on New Years Eve”.
Earlier this year, the committee put a call out for more volunteers to assist in the planning of the event.
Despite the cancellation, Mount Gambier/Berrin residents can remain positive that there will be celebrations in town for New Years Eve with the City of Mount Gambier hopeful they could pull something together.
Mayor Lynette Martin said at the monthly meeting on Tuesday it was fortunate they were implementing an activation plan in the CBD which would allow people to gather at the Cave Gardens/Thugi and “make merry.”
Council general manager city infrastructure Barbara Cernovskis said that council was investigating a city-run event for the occasion.
“It looks like at this stage it may be a little too late for the council to be able to try and track some fireworks,” she said.
“However, there is work being undertaken to see how we can activate the space with a New Year’s celebration in the CBD.”
Mr Turner encouraged anybody who is interested in joining the Mount Gambier New Years Eve Committee and getting involved with the New Years Festival for 2024 to contact him on 0418 244 705 or communityeventsmg@gmail.com.
