FOR the third year in a row, Moulamein Racing Club has made the tough call to cancel its December meeting.
With the flooding emergency still far from over, the decision was disappointing but obvious for the club, according to club secretary Katarni McGlashan.
“Given the current circumstances with localised flooding around the area, we knew that everyone was dealing with quite a lot of pressure and flooding within their own properties,” she said.
“After the first peak, we knew how bad the situation was, and with the continued road closures and further rises to come, we had to make a decision that was about public safety.”
The agreed with the local SES, council, and community groups that forging ahead was not in the public’s best interest.
After two years of COVID-enforced cancellation, though, to have to call off another meet was very tough, Ms McGlashan said.
“It’s devastating, but as disappointing as our position is, I think it was the right decision to make the call a month out rather than a week.
“That pre-planning and acknowledgement of what we are up against as a community made the decision a little more palatable.
“Next year, all of the enthusiasm from the past three years will be thrown into one really wonderful country race meet.”
The meet will not be rescheduled.
Ms McGlashan said the town was looking to hold an event soon to make up for the cancellation of one of its biggest occasions.
“We’re looking into doing something once things subside,” she said.
“As a community, we’re working together to showcase Moulamein through some allocated funds to put on a community event, and the MRC is hoping to tack on to the end of that with an evening to come together for a meal and enjoy some dancing in our new facilities.”
The cancellation was a massive blow for the town’s tourism. Taking place a couple of weeks before Christmas, the event usually attracts people from all walks of life, including Christmas revellers and travellers.
However, with campsites inundated, lack of accommodation was another problem that couldn’t be overcome in time.
“A lot of people that come to the races enjoy the area through camping or local accommodation, but at the moment, there is nowhere to camp – it’s all underwater, and the mosquitoes are putrid right now – they’d be enough to stifle tourists on their own,” Ms McGlashan said.
The track has so far avoided flooding, but the club would need to remain vigilant, she said.
