The local economy will take a huge hit over the coming months with many key events, sporting matches and public gatherings cancelled or postponed following the federal government’s decision to prevent mass gatherings of more than 500 people from Monday.
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This weekend’s planned IWWF World Show Ski Championships, the annual Yarrawonga Easter Tournament, the Easter rock concert Under the Southern Stars, the GP Formula Boat Races scheduled for Anzac weekend along with the Festival of 1000 Voices scheduled for May are some of the major events being cancelled or postponed.
Event organisers frantically met over the last several days to decide their event’s 2020 fate after Prime Minister Scott Morrison made the shock announcement last Friday about restrictions on public gatherings of more than 500 people describing the measures as “precautionary” with the aim of slowing the spread of the virus known as COVID-19.
The Grand Prix was also sensationally cancelled last week and other major sporting events such as this week’s opening AFL round matches are expected to go ahead without spectators, with the AFL soon to release a revised 17 round season. Easter festivals and Anzac Day rituals will also be affected across the community.
The Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club’s (YLTC) Easter Tournament is now in its 121st year and provides a major economic boost to the local community attracting 1,500 registered players and a total of 4,000 people over the four days of Easter each year.
The club officially made the “devastating” announcement on Sunday night after suspending entries on Friday. In a statement provided the club’s tournament directors Jason Bassett and Jo McCarthy said the club were advised by Tennis Australia that all AR tournaments, Junior Development Series tournaments and general category tournaments are to be postponed.
“YLTC is devastated at the cancellation of our event. We pride ourselves on delivering a quality event and love contributing to the enjoyment of so many people over their Easter break. We do, however, understand the Federal Government’s goal to avoid bringing crowds together in order to help contain the spread of COVID-19 and minimize the inevitable strain on our healthcare system,” Jason and Jo said in their statement.
“As a club we have already invested significant hours and money into the organisation of this tournament and this will have a significant impact on the club financially.”
The YLTC will now refund registered players of which some have already offered their fees as a donation to the club. In a great return gesture by the club they will be offering access to the courts which will be set up with nets over the Easter period. There will be no formalized competition and players will need to provide their own tennis balls.
The big Under the Sothern Stars Rock concert event planned for Easter Sunday at the Yarrawonga Showgrounds which was to feature bands LIVE, Bush and Stone Temple Pilots was also postponed on Friday. Concert promoter Andrew McManus confirmed on their Facebook page that all tickets already purchased will be valid for a new festival date to be announced soon for 2021.
“We are in contact with all artists in regard to their touring schedules and we plan to announce revised festival dates for the Under The Southern Stars. It is expected that our festival will be postponed until February/March 2021,” Mr McManus stated in his Facebook post last Friday.
This weekend’s Show Ski World Championships were also officially cancelled on Sunday after all international team has already arrived in Mulwala.
Australian Show Ski Team Director Pete O’Neill said it was with immense sadness the event was cancelled due the Coronavirus threat.
“The governing body, the IWWF, chose to cancel without any consultation with us and with the fear of the COVID-19 as the reason,” Pete said.
“We have greatly appreciated the support of the local community and our sponsors and will be contacting people this week to put plans in place,” Pete said.
Sporting games around the district are also in doubt with all league and associations expected or have already suspended games and training until further notice. The Ovens and Murray, Murray, Picola and NEB Leagues were all in discussions at the time Chronicle was going to print.
It has been reported the O&M League may be pushed out to a May 2 start. The Yarrawonga Mulwala Basketball Association cancelled their domestic competition until further notice earlier this week.
With Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announcing Victoria as a State of Emergency, a number of local and state events have been postponed or cancelled.
Some of the known cancellations and postponements at time of print (subject to change):
Cancelled
Blurry Border Photographer meet n greet;
ClubMulwala Mercury Classic
Royal High Jinx – MAC Inc production;
Yarrawonga Farmers Market March market;
Easter Music Special at St Andrews Uniting Church;
122nd Easter Tennis Tournament;
Melbourne Comedy Festival;
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.
ANZAC Day commemorations. (RSL Sub-Branches across Victoria will be asked to conduct a single ANZAC Day commemorative service only but the public will be asked not to attend these services.)
Postponed
World Water Ski Show Championships;
Australian Formula Powerboat Grand Prix;
Under the Southern Stars Concert;
Festival of 1000 Voices – Saturday and Sunday;
Yarrawonga Mulwala Basketball Association domestic games;
AFLNEB (womens and junior football)
Ovens and Murray, Murray and Picola and District Football Netball Leagues all in discussions at time of print. The Ovens and Murray 2020 season has been reported as possibly being postponed until May 2.
Supermarket giant Woolworths has also released a list of items that have a limitation on the number bought after frenzied panic buying has seen many supermarkets around the country short on stock:
One pack of toilet paper,
One hand sanitiser,
Two boxes of tissues,
One pack of baby wipes,
One pack of serviettes,
One bag of flour,
One bag of rice,
Two packs of pasta.
Woolworths have also introduced dedicated opening hours from yesterday (Tuesday) for the elderly and disabled people to ensure they are able to purchase staples amid the frenzied panic-buying that has left shelves bare.
The special hours will run from Tuesday until at least Friday, between 7am-8am.
Before 8am, access to Woolworths stores will require proof of a concession card.
Home delivery services in Victoria have further been suspended due to “extraordinary” demand and suspended its pick-up service across Australia.