Coronavirus: Cracker Carnival at Murray Farm Public School cancelled
A popular school carnival held annually in Sydney’s west has been cancelled due to growing concerns over coronavirus. But the move has been slammed as a ‘knee-jerk reaction’.
Northern District Times
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Coronavirus concerns have prompted Murray Farm Public School at Carlingford to scrap the Cracker Carnival on June 6 for the first time in its almost 50-year history.
A disappointed parent said other parents were having a “kneejerk” reaction and lobbied the school to axe the event that is held on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend and usually draws 6000 festival-goers.
“The community will be dismayed but essentially the community will be very upset that the decision has been made in haste and a knee-jerk reaction,’’ the parent, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said.
“This is a long-held community event.
“It’s more than a school fete. It’s an event for the community so having this called off because of a minority of parents … is really poor.’’
The parent said the event was the school’s annual key fundraiser that usually raised between $60,000 and $70,000.
“Everyone in that Carlingford, West Pennant Hills area knows of it.
“It’s been running since the 1970s and we’ve had wild storms three-four years ago and it almost wiped out the whole trading but it still went ahead.’’
The parent was flummoxed that adults campaigned to cancel the event but still sent their children to learn among big groups.
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“The group of parents still send their kids to school so if there’s a concern about kids’ health or safety, it could be any day,’’ the parent said.
“It’s an absurd decision.’’
“The fact of the matter is there’s been no reported cases in the area and the event has gone on rain, hail or shine for 50 years. It’s three months away.’’
The school has not yet responded to requests for comment.