Sunshine Coast events cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions
A major service honouring Sunshine Coast veterans has fallen victim to Covid-19 restrictions as it joins a growing list of events. SEE THE FULL LIST
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A snap lockdown across southeast Queensland might have ended but the events casualty list is growing as organisers of a major caravan expo pull the pin on this year’s event.
Restrictions in place despite the August 8 end to lockdown have impacted the majority of national, state and popular events bound for the Sunshine Coast.
Here’s what we know so far:
Vietnam Veterans Day cancelled
The Vietnam Veterans Association Sunshine Coast has cancelled its march, remembrance service and luncheon for the Vietnam Veterans Day on August 18.
It is the second year running the event that was set to be held at the Cenotaph at Cotton Tree, and lunch at Maroochy RSL Club, has been cancelled due to Covid-19.
President Michael Howe said veterans from around Australia were expected to attend.
“We had about 300 people from as close as Brisbane to as far as Western Australia making the trip to the Sunshine Coast,” he said.
“A few of us will still be laying a wreath on the day but it’s just sad having to cancel.
“We’re not getting any younger and it’s hard to know how many of us will be around next year.”
Sunshine Coast Caravan and Outdoor Expo cancelled
Caravanning Queensland has cancelled its Let’s Go Sunshine Coast Caravan & Outdoor Expo, to be held at the Nambour Showgrounds from Friday, August 20 to Sunday, August 22.
However, it has remained committed to supporting community groups who had signed on as stall holders with a $1000 donation each.
APEX, Rotary Club of Nambour, Rotary 9600 Woombye Palmwoods, Nambour Cricketers Club and Nambour Rotary 76 were due to participate in this year’s event as food vendors to support their own fundraising programs.
Caravanning Queensland Trade CEO Jason Plant said this year’s cancellation was the second in a row for the Sunshine Coast event.
Mr Plant said his organisation recognised the impact cancellations had on the wider community who benefited from participating in the event.
“These five community groups have supported us since we launched our Let’s Go Sunshine Coast Caravan & Outdoor Expo in 2019,” Mr Plant said.
“As a fellow not-for-profit association, we understand that operating during Covid and the uncertainty of lockdowns and restrictions is tough.
“We want to continue to provide as much support to the local region as we can and we hope this $1000 donation to each of the community groups will help them in their fundraising efforts this year.”
Horizon Festival cancelled
A statement from event organisers on Monday announced the event that was due to be held across the region from August 27 to September 5 has been cancelled.
Anyone who purchased tickets to the event would be contacted to arrange a full refund.
Horizon Festival acting director Zoe Graham said the decision to cancel the Festival came after close consultation with health authorities, discussions with artists and with the safety of the community top of in mind.
“The impact of the recent lockdown, the current restrictions and the uncertainty of what may unfold over the coming weeks has made festival delivery extremely challenging,” Ms Graham said.
“Featuring hundreds of artists, Horizon Festival 2021 was shaping up to be an incredible 10 days and we are devastated not to be able to present these events, artworks and experiences for our community to enjoy.
“Council understands this is a trying time for those in the arts sector. Festival organisers have been, and will continue to, liaise with artists and presenters to determine future presentation opportunities for programs that, three weeks out of the Festival start date, were very close to ‘show ready’.”
Noosa Classic postponed
The third Noosa Classic has been postponed from August 15 to October 10.
The Gran Fondo cycling event is part of The Classics series by Bicycling Australia.
Riders who had registered for the 2021 event in August will automatically be transferred to the new event date.
If they are unable to make the new date, an option for deferral to Noosa Classic 2022 or refund will be offered.
Sunshine Coast Marathon postponed
The premier running event was scheduled to be held on August 14-15 but the decision was made to postpone given the ongoing lockdown.
Event organiser Jason Crowther confirmed the Sunshine Coast Marathon and Community Run Festival would instead be held on Sunday, October 10, 2021.
The decision was made to ensure the health and safety of participants, staff, volunteers and the community while still delivering the economic benefits of the event to the region, albeit slightly later than usual this year.
Yandina Street Fair (August 22)
In an announcement on their website organisers announced this year’s event has been cancelled.
“We have made the hard decision to cancel YSF 2021,” they said.
“It's a sad day for Yandina to cancel two years in a row … but it’s unfair to Street Fair participants to drag out a ‘wait and see’ period when they have to prepare and outlay resources.
“Most importantly, we have to put public health first. Please stay safe and look after one another.”
Sunshine Coast Rugby Union
Senior Sunshine Coast Rugby Union teams were set to play their last-round games on July 31 before they were cancelled due to Queensland Health's lockdown announcement.
Sunshine Coast Rugby Manager Mike Aronsten said everyone was doing their best to make sure the season was finished.
“The final matches of the regular season games are all important for those senior teams that are fighting for a spot in the semi finals,” he said.
“We will hold discussions with each club as soon as we can but at this stage the plan is that we will push everything one week back.
“We are still looking at everything in detail but were definitely working on it and hoping the lockdown isn't extended.”
Sunshine Coast Schools’ Drama Festival
The organisers of the event made an announcement through their Facebook page informing all members of their decision to cancel the event.
“Due to orders from Queensland Health and the subsequent Queensland lockdown restrictions, the SC Schools Drama Festival will unfortunately be cancelled and not rescheduled,” they said.
“The Events Centre staff will begin processing refunds to all ticket holders.”
Sunshine Coast Rugby League
Rugby League Sunshine Coast Senior League co-ordinator Jodi Price said there was a process to go through before they would be able to make a final decision.
“The plan at this stage is to push everything back two weeks but well be holding a meeting as soon as we can,” she said.
“We obviously have to look at stadium availability and what dates and times suit each club.
“We still want to push for those teams to play those certain games we have and will miss out on but it’s ultimately whatever is possible and whatever is the safest thing to do.”
Sunshine Coast and Queensland AFL
Queensland AFL released a statement on their social media pages to inform players, coaches, staff and fans of what steps were now in place.
“AFL Queensland has determined that all senior and youth community club football matches that were unable to be played last weekend (31/1st) and the weekend coming (6/7/8th) in South East Queensland competitions have been cancelled,” they said in a statement released on Monday.
“Consistent with the last lockdown, any team that was scheduled to play will receive two (2) premiership points. A team on a bye will not receive points. The results of any games that were completed last weekend shall stand.
“In recognising that all youth competitions and several senior competitions will not play again before finals commence, the finals will proceed as scheduled and the ladders at the end of the home and away season will determine the clubs that compete in the finals series.”
Mountain Designs Hells Bells 24 Hour Adventure Race (August 7-8 at Mooloolaba)
Events Manager Chris Dixon said the plan in place was to postpone the event for the safety of everyone involved.
“I’d love to proceed but that’s not possible given our circumstance so were currently looking at an alternate date in September,” he said.
“It’s our best strategy at the moment to help prioritise the health of everyone.”
Sunshine Coast Football
A statement from Football Queensland was released on Monday to inform everyone of the next steps in place.
“Football Queensland has confirmed that the suspension of football in South East Queensland has been extended until 11:59pm this Sunday, 8 August,” they said.
“No football activity of any kind is permitted in South East Queensland during this suspension, including any and all forms of training sessions, matches, committee meetings, coach and referee sessions and all other football-related gatherings (unless these can be held online).
“Training and football activity in other parts of the state unaffected by the lockdown may continue, however any participants who have been in South East Queensland since 1am on Saturday, 31 July are required to follow the lockdown restrictions even if they are currently located outside of the affected regions.
“Football Queensland will continue to keep the football community updated as more information becomes available and will be in touch with clubs shortly to discuss options for the completion of competitions in 2021.”
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