Should Australia Day move? What do you think? Email editor@areanews.com.au
AFTER more than 30 years at Pioneer Park, Griffith’s Australia Day celebrations could be set for a shake-up with a proposal to move it to the regional theatre.
Council’s new tourism and events committee will meet tomorrow night to discuss the potential for a revamp of the annual event in a bid to escape the summer heat, make the proceedings more formal and freshen up the atmosphere.
Committee chair, councillor Christine Stead, said Pioneer Park had been a great facility for the past three decades but it was time for a change.
“It’s something we spoke about with the old committee and now it’s time to put a plan into place and put forward a formal recommendation to the councillors,” Cr Stead said.
“It is so hot on Australia Day and, while we’ve had good weather in the morning for the past few years, by the time we finish it’s lunchtime and it is getting pretty uncomfortable.
“We’ll probably try the theatre for one year and if it doesn’t work, we’ll go back.”
Cr Stead said holding the event at the theatre would negate the need for organisers to bring in seating, provide a larger stage and create a cooler, more comfortable environment.
The previous committee proposed the celebrations be moved back to 10am with morning tea afterwards instead of breakfast.
Alternatively, breakfast could still be served at Pioneer Park prior to the event moving to the theatre.
Under the new plan, visitors would be asked to make a gold coin donation for Pioneer Park at the door of the theatre.
Cr Stead said she would like to see City Park incorporated into the festivities.
“We were thinking about a barbecue lunch at City Park with proceeds going to Pioneer Park or maybe a breakfast event there,” she said.
“It would be good to bring the focus back to town and City Park is a great community facility that we could be using more.”
Should Australia Day move? What do you think? Email editor@areanews.com.au
