The Bairnsdale Show committee was forced to make a very hard decision a month ago after its annual general meeting was so poorly attended.
It had decided it would make one more desperate call out for volunteers for the show and if there were no volunteers to come forward it would have to close the doors after 141 years.
The committee went along to the special meeting that had been arranged with a heavy heart thinking they were going to have to end an event that has so much history to Bairnsdale.
To the committee’s surprise and delight, more than 20 new enthusiastic and eager volunteers turned up to the meeting, all stating they did not want to see the Bairnsdale Show come to an end.
“I was humbled by the experience and would like to thank the Bairnsdale community for stepping up and coming together to save an annual event that is so dear to Bairnsdale and the surrounding district,” show president, Tarsha Dixon, said.
“I am happy to announce the Bairnsdale Show is back in business! I am so very excited to see what the 2021 show will have to offer and look forward to working with such a diverse committee.”
The new committee, with all its new members, has already met and sub committees have been formed.
There are a variety a sub committees which aims to lighten the load for a few by spreading the jobs around with a “many hands make light work” approach.
There is a subcommittee for media, sponsorship, events, pavilions, market and entertainment.
Each sub committee will have their own email address to make communication with the right people easier and more direct.
The team of volunteers that has put their hand up for the sponsorship sub committee, will soon be sending out letters to pre-existing sponsors and to any businesses that may be interested in supporting the show and becoming a potential new sponsor.
If there are any businesses or community groups that would be interested in sponsoring, creating, organising or participating in an event, access the show website for contact addresses and phone numbers to inform them of your interest and ideas.
The show will take place Saturday, November 6, and between now and then the show committee will be working hard to ensure they put on a good show for 2021.
IMAGE: The Bairnsdale Show will go ahead this November following a successful call for a new committee. (PS)
