THE Eaglehawk community is refusing to rule out a return of its popular Dahlia and Arts Festival in 2022, despite last month's announcement the 2022 community celebration had been cancelled due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Acting Eaglehawk Dahlia and Arts Festival president, Laurie Fitzgerald, said the festival committee has met and put in place a plan for the next event.
"While at this stage it is not known when it will be held, a community survey to encourage ideas is being circulated," he said.
"A festival forum has been organised so as people from all walks of life in Eaglehawk can contribute to a future festival.
"The forum will bring together ideas for the future and will be conducted by an independent facilitator," Mr Fitzgerald said.
He said it was possible some sort of scaled down celebration could yet be held in 2022, although the iconic street parade was still banned under the current COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines.
"We're not going away... we want support and we want to do something," he said.
"There's still plenty of enthusiasm in Eaglehawk for a festival."
Mr Fitzgerald said there were concerns in the Eaglehawk community that unless planning for the next festival continues, interest and support could otherwise fade, making the challenge of delivering the next festival even harder.
"The festival has played an important role in building the Eaglehawk community over the past 50 years," he said.
"With many new residents and businesses moving into Eaglehawk, it is important that everybody has the opportunity to get involved."
A community forum will be held at the Canterbury Park football clubrooms on Thursday, November 18, from 7pm to consider the community's next steps.
Mr Fitzgerald said the committee was hoping to emulate the efforts of 2008, when the redevelopment of the Canterbury Park/Lake Neangar precinct was floundering, and a forum was held which resulted in over $11 million of new facilities being built.
"There is something special when people come together for a common goal and achieve what they want." he said.
"The Forum and the survey is another opportunity for people and organisations to build their involvement, membership and income. All communities need it after such a difficult past two years."
Attendance at the November 18 community forum is capped at 43 people due to density limits.
A Dahlia and Arts Festival survey inviting community feedback and suggestions is available at surveymonkey.com/
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark bendigoadvertiser.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter @BgoAddy
- Follow us on Instagram @bendigoadvertiser
- Join us on Facebook
- Follow us on Google News