Fraser Coast Technology Challenge cancelled by Covid concerns

One hundred and fifty teams and about 2000 people were gearing up to converge on Maryborough for the major annual interschool event.

A photo from the first lap of the last Fraser Coast Technology Challenge in 2019. For the second year in a row, Covid concerns have caused the cancellation of one of Maryborough’s biggest annual events.

For the second year in a row, Covid concerns have caused the cancellation of one of Maryborough’s biggest annual events - the Fraser Coast Technology Challenge.

The event was scheduled to be held from September 10-12.

A statement from organisers said while Queensland students north of Gympie were not affected by the southeast Queensland lockdown, schools have taken a cautious approach, with Maryborough State High School not confident about staging a Covid safe, 24-hour race and overnight camping on the school’s grounds.

Event organiser, Fraser Coast Tourism & Events, had examined alternative venues at the Maryborough Showground, Aldershot and at Urangan, but none were suitable at short notice, even for a shortened eight-hour event, and the decision was taken to cancel the event.

The news comes after the postponement of the Mary Poppins Festival and the Hervey Bay Whale Festival earlier this year because of ongoing Covid concerns.

2019 Fraser Coast Technology Challenge – Jarrod Clark in the Woody team entry from Aldridge State High at the John and Sussex St corner. For the second year in a row, Covid concerns have caused the cancellation of one of Maryborough’s biggest annual events.

“It’s tough on those teams which have been training for months for the premier human powered vehicle event in Queensland, but in the end we just ran out of options and a decision was made in support of student health,” FCTE general manager Martin Simons said.

“This will be the second year the Tech Challenge has not gone ahead.

“In a normal year the race attracts up to 150 teams from throughout Queensland and interstate, bringing more than 2000 people to Maryborough, boosting the local economy.”

The Tech Challenge is part of the Queensland seven-event Pedal Prix Super Series held at racetracks throughout the state, with Maryborough the only street event.

2019 Fraser Coast Technology Challenge – Primary Pushcarts. Eden Churchill and Finn Bensted from St. Marys Primary. For the second year in a row, Covid concerns have caused the cancellation of one of Maryborough’s biggest annual events.

FCTE took over the staging of this year’s event in May when the Maryborough Chamber of Commerce advised its voluntary committee was not in a position to deliver a Covid safe event.

The race was on track for a successful return until the recent Delta outbreak spreading from the school of one of the race entrants, Indooroopilly State High, leading to the snap eight-day lockdown of 11 local government regions in South East Queensland, ordered by the Queensland Government.

“The event relies heavily on the support of the Maryborough State High School and Maryborough State Central School and there was a real concern from both local schools about the risk to their own student community as well as that of the broader Fraser Coast region,’’ Mr Simons said.

Fraser Coast Technology Challenge – Team Thieves from Albany Creek State High School about to flip at a previous event. For the second year in a row, Covid concerns have caused the cancellation of one of Maryborough’s biggest annual events

“As a result of these concerns, both withdrew their support as a venue for this year’s event and in addition, we were advised by Education Queensland that schools that originate from or have visited the 11 LGAs affected by the recent outbreak are currently not allowed to participate in inter-school sport.

“This is part of the Queensland Health directive released on August 11 and we are uncertain when these restrictions will be eased.

“Because many school teams registered for the event were from within these areas, the ability for us to continue planning a high-quality event with the maximum number of participants has been severely impacted.”

Mr Simons said many local community groups and schools rallied to the cause to stage the Maryborough race this year when it looked like it might not happen because of the Chamber’s withdrawal and we know that the 2021 cancellation has created a great deal of disappointment for everyone involved.

“We want to thank everyone for their hard work over the past few months in trying to make this event happen and ask that we now all look forward to staging another great event in 2022.”