IT’S full steam ahead for the Julia Creek DirtnDust Festival – despite the community still coming to grips with the loss of Gannon’s Hotel to fire.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The iconic pub was destroyed early on Friday, but the outback town’s resilience is on show as it presses on to prepare for the event which traditionally kick-starts the tourism and events season in the outback.
The event attracts about 3000 people over the three days.
It will be Sam Kimlin’s first year as event manager and she says she is ready for the challenge.
“You can expect the same antics as the last few years, such as the triathlon, fashions on the field and bull riding,” she said.
“It is a huge event for the community.
‘‘Even those that live out on the stations can have a weekend off and have some fun in town.”
Ms Kimlin said the loss of Gannon’s Hotel would not affect the DirtnDust Festival.
“It has been a huge loss for the community as we do
utilise local motels and accommodation,” she said.
“We are just working through it and offering our support.”
Ms Kimlin said the biggest issue the organisers were facing was funding and sponsorship.
“This year, the biggest hurdle we have had is the current financial crisis, with the drought and so on,” she said.
“So, getting sponsorship this year has been really hard, not just for us but for other events in the region.
“It is across the board.
‘‘I think every event in Queensland is feeling it at the moment.’’
The DirtnDust Festival is one of the biggest tourism attractions to the Julia Creek area.
Ms Kimlin said organsiers were hoping to have an economic impact study done this year to gauge the level of benefit the event brought to Julia Creek.
Ms Kimlin said staff and volunteers were still needed to help over the weekend, while registrations for the triathlon were still open.
On the Saturday morning of the DirtaDust Festival, the east-bound lane of the Flinders Highway, from Eastern Creek to Julia Creek, will be closed between 9am to 11.30am for the senior triathlon.
This year’s DirtnDust will run from April 17 to 19.