“The administrators at Moira Shire Council have gone above and beyond to work with us to make this happen,” Brett Butler said.
“Michael Tudball (Moira Shire interim CEO) has also proven to me that he wants to work with the community to make events like this happen, in fact he has been ringing me each day to offer assistance.
“I have had numerous phone calls and meetings with administrators, and I can assure ratepayers I’m extremely impressed with the positive approach and willingness to help get through all the red tape.
“This event is too important to us and the community not to make it work.
“We picked it up after it was held at the showgrounds for many years, supported by Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism and Business. It would have been a shame to see it cancelled.
“Thank you also to everyone who supported us via emails and messages. Strength in numbers goes a long way.
“And thanks to McPhee Rodeo Company for making things work for the new date.
“We look forward to seeing everyone here on Australia Day weekend. It’s going to be a massive weekend with our rodeo on January 26 and Jon Stevens on January 27.”
Speaking to the Yarrawonga Chronicle on Friday, Moira Shire Administrator Graeme Emonson said there were a few options on the table for the event organisers to pursue to get the event compliant and permitted.
“We are very supportive of the rodeo event and understand the importance of it to the Bundalong community.
“It was important for us to understand all the options to see what we could do.”
Mr Emonson said they explored seeking an exemption under the definition of ‘carnival’, but in the scheme and the Code of Practice for a circus or carnival, it states that it excludes equine, competitive, or sporting events.
“Given that we already granted a permit for an equine event, we were unable to go with that option,” he said.
The second option was to hold the event on the tavern land similar to last year, and the third was to appeal the decision on the definition of a carnival or circus with VCAT with the hope of an urgent hearing.
Organisers will plan to hold the January 26 event in the new main arena adjacent to the tavern.
Last year’s rodeo at the Bundalong site was the first local rodeo in three years, with over 1,500 people witnessing the 22-event program.
Those people who had a ticket for the original rodeo date will still be able to use it for the new date.
If you are unable to attend on the new date, you will be able to request a refund. Tickets for the new date are now on sale.
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