THE Mount Gambier Eisteddfod has vowed to return in 2021 following the cancellation of this year’s event due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It comes as Mount Gambier City Council resolved to pay part or all of sponsorship funding to approved events regardless of whether they go ahead this year.
A contribution of $5000 was earmarked for the city’s Eisteddfod and spokesperson Maxine Chalinor said the money would be crucial to the event’s survival.
In addition to the funding, she said waived rent at the Reidy Park Centre would also help the committee get the event back up and running next year.
“We have public liability insurance and property insurance that we have to pay this year and next, so it is a bit of a challenge for us,” Ms Chalinor said.
“The announcements by council are certainly welcomed and will assist us next year.
“We will definitely be up and running again in 2021.”
The event – which was scheduled from July 7 to August 14 – was cancelled last month following the Federal Government’s announcement of restrictions on gatherings due to the coronavirus.
Ms Chalinor said it was a sensible decision, but a disappointing one for everyone involved.
“I was actually at a conference in March and we were discussing having a contingency plan in relation to what we would do if the coronavirus forced cancellations,” she said.
“On the Sunday of the conference the increased restrictions came into effect and that put the brakes on competitions all around the country.”
She said it was a particularly disappointing outcome for the children, with the event one of the few chances to showcase their talents throughout the year.
“It is the only time a lot of those children get to perform, but I’m sure their parents have explained the situation to them and they are understanding,” Ms Chalinor said.
“I just hope they are still able to practice and they come back with even more enthusiasm when the event returns next year.”
Searching for the positives out of a challenging situation, Ms Chalinor said they were fortunate the event was still months away.
“We had not got to the same stage of planning as some other competitions around the country, so we are fortunate in that respect,” she said.
“If we left the decision too late, it would not have been fair on the teachers and parents who make things like costumes, so that had to be taken into consideration.”
