The latest development is a result of further negotiations after the government in December announced club leaders had rejected a $280,000 bailout for the Stawell Gift.
A sticking point appeared to be a new committee of management, proposed by a government-appointed consultant following a review of the event.
Stawell Athletic Club president Neil Blizzard told The Weekly Advertiser at the time that the club was still negotiating with the government.
On Monday, he said he was happy to finalise a partnership between the two parties, which includes a new committee of management to be established by July 1, 2020.
The committee will include independent experts and representatives of the government, Northern Grampians Shire Council, Victorian Athletic League and Stawell Athletic Club, SAC.
“It’s been a long, long road,” Mr Blizzard said.
“I’ve been working on a business plan with the government for the past five years.
“There is still a lot of work to be done but everything will be kept at least the same level as it was last year.
“Four years is a good guarantee, but we still need to secure some sponsors.”
Mr Blizzard said several sponsors had been on hold awaiting the outcome of negotiations.
He said a few had ‘dropped off’ in that time but would hopefully be back on board next year.
Mr Blizzard said despite conflicting reports and rumours, the Stawell Gift was always going to go ahead.
“We would have looked at different ways to do things if we hadn’t come to an agreement with the government,” he said.
“We would have had to make some changes, but running the gift is easy for the club, we’ve done it for 138 years.”
The Stawell Gift is run at Central Park on the Easter long-weekend each year and has been contested every year bar four years since 1878.
Not only is the gift carnival the pinnacle of Australian running events, it is an important economic driver for the Northern Grampians’ economy.
Northern Grampians Shire Council is also party to the agreement between the government and SAC, and will contribute $150,000 plus annual in-kind support to prepare the venue.
Mr Blizzard paid tribute to the council’s parks and gardens staff, who are responsible for turning Central Park into Australia’s athletics mecca each Easter.
“The council staff turn a pretty oval into an elite sporting arena in a matter of weeks,” he said.
“The amount of work they put into getting it right each year is phenomenal. Like the roses at Flemington bloom at the right time every year, the oval is at its prime every Easter.
“It is a privilege to work with the council staff and to show off Central Park to the world.”
Mr Pakula said the Stawell Gift was more than a footrace.
“It’s part of the sporting folklore of this state,” he said.
“We’re delighted to be able to bring all the important players together to ensure that the event is secured, and along with it, the jobs and investment supported by it.”
The 2020 Stawell Gift carnival will run from April 11-13. Entries for running events are now open.
People can visit www.stawellgift.com for more information or to buy tickets.
The entire February 26, 2020 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
The entire February 26,, 2019 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!
