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NEWS
Peninsula Aquafest goes biennial
30 November 2008
Peninsula AquaFest Inc Management Committee met last Friday, 21 November 2008, and has determined that, due to the current tough economic climate, Peninsula AquaFest 2009 will be postponed to January 2010.
“Peninsula AquaFest depends on private sector sponsorship to present a quality community festival”, said Festival Director Simon Schweigert. “However, the tough economic environment has meant sponsors have deferred their commitment until the 2009/2010 financial year.
“We feel it is important that Peninsula AquaFest remains a quality community festival and experience of the Peninsula’s unique marine environment for our exhibitors and visitors alike. Rather charge an entry fee or present a half-baked festival, we decided to postpone Peninsula AquaFest to 9 and 10 January 2010 and, from then, present Peninsula AquaFest as a biennial event”.
Peninsula AquaFest will remain a free entry event, and the Community Festival, including community organisation exhibitions, free come-and-try activities, marine environment centre and marine education centre, is partially funded by Marine EXPO sales. The global credit crunch has also impacted national and local marine retailers and manufacturers and there is no doubt that things are currently tight in the marine industry.
“Our discussions with sponsors and key marine manufacturers indicate that the economy will be in a better position by next April or May to support community based events,” said Mr Schweigert. “Consequently, postponing Peninsula AquaFest until 2010 makes sense and ensures that community organisations, exhibitors and festival attendees will all benefit from the presentation of a well-planned, well-supported, high quality event.”
The decision to present Peninsula AquaFest biennially rather than every year, also ensures a longer planning period for the event, a greater opportunity for community groups to source volunteers who are not on holiday at that time and better fits the marine industry manufacturers and retailers events calendar.
An important activity of Peninsula AquaFest, the AquaFest Regatta at Safety Beach, will continue still be held on 10 and 11 January 2009, with entry open now for two days of racing for off-the-beach boats to keel yacht. To enter the AquaFest Regatta at Safety Beach, log on to www.peninsulaaquafest.com.au and follow the links to the Notice of Race and official race entry form.