Groups react to evolving conditions
More events across the Wimmera have joined a long list of cancelled or postponed activities as communities join a national response to the COVID-19 virus threat.
Organisers of Jeparit’s Easter Fishing Competition have confirmed the cancellation of their event, following Natimuk A and P Society’s last-minute decision to abandon Natimuk Show and Harmony Week activities in Nhill also being cancelled.
Jeparit contest spokesman Rodney Robinson said a high degree of uncertainty and concerns about elderly patrons had led to the decision, backed up by latest national bans on social gatherings.
“We had a discussion last week and it was unanimous from all at the meeting that we don’t proceed,” he said.
“We’ll discuss more at another meeting in two months when we know more about where the crisis is heading.”
Mr Robinson was quick to reassure angling enthusiasts that the organising committee planned to continue the annual event into the future.
“From our perspective, the competition will be on again next year bigger and better than ever,” he said.
Entertainment venue managers across the region are also busy working on abandoning, rescheduling and planning performances.
In Horsham, Horsham Town Hall and Horsham Regional Art Galley will close until April 13 and gallery exhibitions and programs are closed.
Town hall venue manager Shana Miatke has been working with promoters and community groups regarding shows and events.
Changes at Horsham Town Hall include: 50 Shades the Musical Parody moved to June 5-6; Toni Childs Retrospective cancelled; The Laramie Project moved to October, 2020; ROUGE moved to November 2020; Grace Under Pressure, date to be determined; Whoosh moved to 2021; Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow date to be determined; You and I – Rachel Beck and Michael Cormick moved to November 13; Horsham Arts Council’s Broadway Showcase to be determined.
“Our decision to reschedule events has been informed by a desire to continue to best support our community of patrons, artists, venue, and art workers,” Ms Miatke said.
“All current ticket holders will be transferred to the new performance dates and patrons have the right for a full refund if the new performance date is not suitable.
“The venue staff will continue to be working through these challenging times and will update news of other programmed shows as they are rescheduled.
“We wish our community, their families and loved ones good health and kind-heartedness at this time.”
Information about Horsham Town Hall will be subject to updates on the town hall’s website.
Horsham Aquatic Centre and Horsham’s Kalkee Road Children’s and Community Hub and Mibus Centre library are also closed.
A Wimmera Music Eisteddfod committee has also cancelled its event this year. Organisers will explore ways for performers to stay connected and urge people who had planned to compete to post performances digitally.
Next year’s eisteddfod will be on July 22 and 24.
In sport, Wimmera Hockey Association and Horsham District Soccer Club have moved to suspend training and games until later in the year.
Hockey officials decided representatives would be not attend junior country championships for 2020 and to postpone the start of the season until no earlier than the start of June.
The soccer club has suspended all soccer training and matches until further notice in April.
Victorian courts and Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal are in the process of changing the way they operate in response to the pandemic.
In criminal and civil courts, Court Services Victoria is moving to manage appearances through the electronic and digital environment.
Authorities reported that not all courts had the technical capability yet, but work was underway to build that as soon as possible.
Pilots will start immediately across the courts to test the technology. It will then be scaled up to meet the changing needs of the sector.
This is in addition to the work that has started to change the way the courts list matters to provide time certainty for appearances. Contested Committal hearings across the state for the following seven weeks are adjourned.
In the Grampians, popular tourism attraction Mackenzie Falls will close during the school-holiday period until April 13.
Authorities consider the series of tight pathways and handrails to the base of the falls a virus risk.
Many retail business owners are also deciding to close despite some still eligible to keep operating under latest Commonwealth and state guidelines.
In Ararat, municipal service closures include Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre, Ararat Regional Library, Ararat Fitness Centre, Ararat Town Hall, Ararat and Grampians Visitor Information Centre, Ararat Gallery TAMA Textile Art Museum Australia, Alexandra Oval Reserve including Alexandra Oval Community Centre and Green Hill Lake.