The Mathoura Events Committee needs your help and keep the Mathoura Easter fair running.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
The future of Mathoura's Easter fair and Christmas carols hang in the balance, with community members urged to step up before the Mathoura Events Committee folds.
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With the previous executive team stepping down due to personal reasons, the committee in now in need of new leadership.
However, attendance at the recent annual meeting saw only two attendees, leading to a crisis meeting set to happen later this month as a final push to fill the roles.
The meeting will discuss the importance of maintaining a committee for the community and surrounds, explain the process required if no-one steps into executive positions, and call for nominations for a new committee.
While one person has already volunteered to become president, the committee is still seeking people to fill the roles of secretary, treasurer and public officer.
Committee member Pam Fitzpatrick said the loss of the committee would affect Mathoura.
The Mathoura Events Committee is hosting a crisis meeting later this month.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
“If no-one attends this, the committee will fold and Mathoura will lose the Easter fair and carols,” she said.
Founded eight years ago to revive the Easter fair, the committee started with no funds and relied on the generosity of local farmers, business owners and Murray River Council to build the fair into the event it is today.
The committee later took on responsibility for the town's annual Christmas carols, leading it to become the Mathoura Events Committee.
Beyond organising family-friendly events, the committee supports other local groups through sponsorships, grant support letters, volunteering and community donations, including assistance for schools, community organisations and residents.
“If it doesn't go ahead, it will affect tourism and those communities around Mathoura,” she said.
“The Mathoura events committee gives back to the community and other organisations... it is what the committee is about.”
Over the past three years, the committee has tried to rally more committee members, with volunteers stepping into roles temporarily but no long-term solution emerging.
With the future of the committee in jeopardy, the current committee are once again calling on the community for their help.
Ms Fitzpatrick said the current committee are willing to help those who answer the call.
“I understand a lot of people are scared to take on an executive role, so was I,” she said.
“With guidance from different people, council and always asking questions I adapted and learnt, made mistakes and pissed people off, but I got there.
“This is why the committee has spent time making everything easier for new members — We are not going to hand everything over and run, we will still be there to guide you if need be.”
The crisis meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 29 from 7pm at the Mathoura Football Netball Club.
All community members are invited to attend the meeting.
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