Susanna Freymark
Councillor Olivia Taylor was concerned how Kyogle Council would be perceived by the community if it didn’t support the Woodenbong Rodeo.
At the council meeting today, Monday, July 13, the events and organisations receiving community assistance grants and event sponsorship were listed.
Woodenbong Rodeo organisers wanted council support worth $4750. Most of that is in-kind support with $1500 requested in cash.
There was a lengthy discussion about why the council could not support the rodeo.
Planning and Community Services director Amanda Clark said the council’s insurers had advised that a rodeo was a high risk activity.
“We were advised that we don’t have the time to get the insurer’s approval,” she said.
The approval would take four weeks.
“Is there any way to fast track that approval?” Ms Taylor asked.
The Woodenbong Rodeo is on this Saturday, July 18.
“I’m concerned how council will be perceived in not backing this event,” Ms Taylor said.
Council’s general manager Marcus Schintler said it was an unfortunate reason.
“We’ve been snookered by this information as it came to hand at the last moment,” he said.
“We are supportive of the rodeo, we’re just snookered at the moment.”
Ms Clark said the advice from the insurer was that the council could be held liable for any accidents or injuries by supporting the event, and that included in-kind support. This had not been an issue in previous years.
Mr Schintler said the insurer must have dealt with some kind of incident and changed the approach to insuring high risk events.
“Council is not the main sponsor by any means,” Ms Clark said.
“I’m reasonably confident the event is not reliant on our sponsorship.”
Tom Cooper said the council could waive the tip fees for the event.
It was a difficult conversation in the council chambers. No one, it seemed was happy about it but it was decided it was too high risk to go against the insurer’s advice.
The other projects that applied and did not receive funding are:
The Vintage Bike Show and Shine at the Exchange (no budget was submitted)
Survived to THRIVE by Kyogle Together for $8000+
Back to Woodenbong Weekend applied for $4250 with $1000 of that in cash
Forgotten the stage show applied for $2500, the report said it didn’t fit event sponsorship criteria.
The events that did succeed in the grant application are:
The Giant Pumpkin and Watermelon Festival $8700 ($5000 in cash)
Literary Allsorts $5000 (cash)
Kyogle Timber Expo $4000 ($2500 in cash)
Boots, Bands and Bush Verse (Bonalbo) $5750 ($2500 in cash)
Kyogle Lions Carol by Candlelight $1500 ($1000 in cash)
Hanging Rock Has Talent $500
Kyogle Show n Shine Meet $3750 ($500 in cash)
The successful community sponsorship projects are:
Mallanganee Public Hall $1106 for a portable speaker and mic
Woodenbong Progress Association $5000 to develop the Woodenbong Village heritage trail
Friends of Ettrick $1000 for a series of events
Kyogle Fishing Club $2500 for fish stocking
Kyogle PA&H Society $2500 for new seating at the Pavillion
Community Christmas Luncheon $1000
Woodenbong Mens Shed $1000
Tabulam Public Hall $1000 for a barn dance
6 Acre Studio $1000 for an exhibition in the main street to raise awareness of domestic violence