Port Lincoln’s Tunarama Festival finished, organisers announce

The organisers of the famous Port Lincoln festival have announced this year’s event was the last.

Japanese TV presenter Mr Nakayama competing in the tuna tossing contest during the Tunarama Festival in Port Lincoln in 1992. Picture: Trina Tepper

Port Lincoln’s famous Tunarama Festival will wrap up for good, organisers have announced.

Port Lincoln Tunarama Incorporated and the Port Lincoln Council announced on Tuesday night that the festival has been cancelled via a statement on social media.

Since 1962, the festival grew to become the state’s largest regional community event, becoming an annual fixture every January.

50+ pictures: A look back at Port Lincoln’s Tunarama Festival

VIEW GALLERY

Hammer thrower Darren Billett competing in men's tuna tossing throwing competition with Mark Mitchell aka Con the Fruiterer during Port Lincoln Tunarama Festival in 2001.

“This year marked the 60th Tunarama Festival and what will now be the last event in that specific format,” the statement read.

“Council is happy that we have ensured that when the time is right, key elements of the Tunarama Festival will be brought back to life for our community, but that it is unlikely that this will be in 2024 at this stage.”

Darren Billett winds up in 2001.

The crowd at the 2013 Tunarama Festival in Port Lincoln.

Tunarama President Sharon Humenick said the festival had been supported by many local businesses over the years.

“Times are changing and there is opportunity for a fresh look at the event and how it could be run in the future.

“We are immensely proud as a committee of the work of past and present members, volunteers, quest ambassadors and supporters to create and uphold a tradition known as the Tunarama Festival for our community for over 60 years.

“However, after several years of Covid and other factors, it’s time for the event as we know it to end.

A March 1962 report in Fisheries Newsletter on the inaugural Tunarama Festival. Source: Trove. Click the arrow on top right to read the article.

Tim Driesen competing in the 2013 Tuna Toss.

“I would also like to publicly that the current Tunarama committee for their commitment and dedication over the past few months under difficult circumstance.”

City of Port Lincoln Mayor Diana Mislov said the event had “celebrated the city’s fishing industry heritage starting with the ‘blessing of the fleet”.

“There are not too many people that think of Port Lincoln and do not think ‘Tunarama’ or ‘Tuna Toss’ – it is known far and wide,” she wrote.

“As far as iconic South Australian events go, Tunarama is up there on the list.”

Ms Mislov said the festival had left a “lasting legacy that will remain in the community,” after “generations of locals and visitors alike have enjoyed all the festival has offered over the past 60 years”.

The council has been contacted for further comment on the event’s cancellation.