Party goers still flock to lake

AROUND 1000 people descended on the Charlton district to party over the long weekend in spite of the last minute cancellation of the Maitreya Music and Arts Festival.

Maitreya Festival organisers decided to cancel the official event last Thursday, just a day before it was planned to be staged at the Wooroonook Lakes, following strong pressure to do so by authorities such as Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and the Country Fire Authority.

The authorities put out a joint statement saying it was negligent to host any event without proper insurance and risk management assurances, which the festival promoters failed to obtain when they were denied a planning permit from Buloke Shire Council.

Approximately 1000 people decided to make use of the long weekend anyway, going to the Lake Wooroonook site to stage an informal party.

Swan Hill Local Area Commander Inspector Dan Davison said most people behaved themselves, but there were several drug arrests.

For more on this story, grab a copy of Wednesday’s Guardian (March 16).