THE loss of Sea Lake’s signature community event, The Mallee Rally, will have dire consequences for the town, according to local residents.
It’s estimated the event injects more than $250,000 into the local economy across the June long weekend.
Principal of St Mary’s Primary School in Sea Lake, Catherine Nunn said the Mallee Rally has been a vital part of the Sea Lake community since it began.
“Not only does it bring people to our community and therefore supports our local businesses, but it also provides our school with the opportunity to fundraise and provide our students with important resources,” Ms Nunn said.
“The Mallee Rally is one of our biggest fundraisers for the year that doesn’t require donations from our families or local businesses.
“All our families participate in the weekend to assist with the fundraising as they know it will support every child in our school.”
She said the absence of the rally had put pressure on the school’s Parents and Friends Committee to find alternative ways to fundraise vital funds for the school.
“The Mallee Rally is the one big event every year for our community,” Ms Nunn said.
“Our students and families love the rally weekend and the excitement it brings to their lives and the community.
“Not having it has certainly impacted the wellbeing of our whole community.”
These sentiments were echoed by many local residents, clubs and organisations who benefit from the rally.
President of the Sea Lake Lions Club, Dowie Hanns, said the benefits of the Mallee Rally extended far beyond the race track.
“The loss of the Mallee Rally has taken our main fundraiser away,” Mr Hanns said, noting the club was responsible for catering for the Mallee Rally.
“We just don’t give out the donations like we used to,” Mr Hanns said.
“The Mallee Rally brings outside money into the town.”
He said the loss of the event has also impacted on the club’s ability to attract new members to the Lions Club.
“We can’t attract new members because we don’t have anything to do,” he said.
Mr Hanns said the Mallee Rally provided a sense of worth and achievement for the entire Sea Lake community, who worked towards a common goal of putting together a world-class event.
