MOUNT Gambier’s annual community New Year’s Eve celebrations are a stalwart of the festive season, but without a new committee, the future of the event is uncertain.
The current organising committee has revealed unless there is an influx of new members, the 2018 event may have been the last organised by the community body.
A number of current members will step down with a new committee currently being sought to take on organisation of the event.
The community celebrations started in 2010 and have provided central family-oriented entertainment to usher in the new year.
The celebrations were started by a group of people who believed there was a market for such an event.
Organisers said while Mount Gambier City Council had supported the event, it was not a council-run initiative which was a common misconception in the community.
Committee chair Steve Toope said community attendance was strong and he believed there was enough support for a new committee to be formed to drive the event forward.
“All events, no matter what their size or standing, community or commercial, need to continue to grow, change, be relevant and be renewed and a new committee will be able to give the event new direction and drive,” Mr Toope said.
However, Mr Toope said the workload for the four current committee members in trying to source funding and undertake event planning had become some of the key factors for the committee’s decision to step down.
“Funding was a big issue this year as the committee had to seek extra funding to counter the decrease in Mount Gambier City Council’s contribution and in-kind support, along with reduction from other sponsors,” Mr Toope said.
“This year we had to seek funding from a number of small businesses to make up the short fall.
“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.”
A meeting will be held at the Mount Gambier RSL on Wednesday at 7pm to decide the future of the event.
Mr Toope said it was a “one shot in the locker” meeting and there would not be another meeting to discuss the matter.
“It is a very simple equation, if the community wish the event to continue, attend the meeting and be prepared to put your hand up to be a member of the committee,” Mr Toope said.
“Do not do this and the event will cease.”
Mr Toope acknowledged many in the community were already busy, but believed there were those who would enjoy running the successful community event, which he said was rewarding.
Members of the current organising committee have offered to provide support and advice to new members to help the transition into the roles.
“Mount Gambier has the largest community-organised new year’s celebrations in South Australia outside of Adelaide and we do not want 2018 to be the last,” Mr Toope said.
