Picture: MOLLY TAYLOR
THOUSANDS of tourists and South East residents alike are expected to enjoy fireworks and an array of family activities as public New Year’s Eve celebrations are held at Mount Gambier’s Vansittart Park on Monday night.
Visitors will be spoiled for choice as a myriad of activities are planned for the jam-packed evening, including live music from some of the region’s top musical acts.
Headlining band Mischief and Mayhem will be complemented by Ben Hood, the Mount Gambier RSL Blue Lake Highland Pipe Band and Mount Gambier singers Chaneline Kakule, Amy Glouse and Antioneete Mizero, among others.
Although fireworks will light up the sky and music will reverberate across the area to welcome the new year, it could be the last public New Year’s Eve celebration for Mount Gambier if greater support is not secured.
The event has been organised by four committee members of Mount Gambier Community Events Management Inc (MGCEMI) and may mark not only the end of the year, but an end of an era as members prepare to step down.
MGCEMI committee members have led coordination of the street party for almost a decade after concerns had long been held in the city New Year’s Eve had previously been a “fizzer” with no public celebrations outside of licensed venues and an absence of fireworks to mark the start of the new year.
Mount Gambier Community Events Management Inc chair Steve Toope said attendance at the event had been strong each year since it was initiated, but greater sponsorship, committee support and council backing was needed.
“We encourage the community to be part of the activities and welcome in the new year at the community event,” he said.
“Mount Gambier has the largest community-organised New Year’s celebrations outside of Adelaide and we do not want this one to be the last.
“But all events, no matter what their size or standing, need to continue to grow, change, be relevant and be renewed.”
Mr Toope said the committee was “fortunate” to have regular backers of the festivities and support from a number of South East community members.
“To be able to put on such an event, we rely on not only the community support, but the generosity of the business community,” he said.
“We have been very fortunate to have a number of civic-minded sponsors and supporters over the years and they have all contributed to the success of the event.
“However, we had issues with funding this year as the committee had to seek extra funding to counter the decrease in the Mount Gambier City Council contribution, as well has a reduction from other sponsors.
“It is very time consuming work and without the concerted effort of Maxine Tuffnell, Jeni Jackson and Barry Treloar there would have been serious question marks over this year’s event.”
Mr Toope said he was hopeful a new committee could be formed with people willing to contribute and take the event forward.
“It is very rewarding to be a part of the committee,” Mr Toope said.
“Current members are more than willing to provide all the support and advice to new members to ensure they could step into the roles.
“There will be a community meeting towards the end of January to see if there are members of the community willing to step up and continue running the event.”
As for this Monday night’s celebrations from 6pm, attendees will enjoy live entertainment, as well as jumping castles, a sand pit, a giant slide, chair-a-ride, photograph booth, mini putt putt, bungy run, go karts, face painting, Bunnings activity tent, laser tag and the ever popular Riot City Wrestlers.
There will also be fireworks at 9.15pm and midnight.
Irrespective of whether the event is the last, Mr Toope said this year’s festivities would provide another fantastic night of affordable, family fun.
“We expect this year to be just as popular as the past few events, with a full program of activities planned for families,” Mr Toope said.
