Wombat residents as well as the wider community are disappointed that the Annual Wombat Swap meet set down for this weekend, which is held in the village will not go ahead this year. The Swap meet was fast becoming a destination for fans of laid back meet and has traditionally been a big fund raiser for the village, bringing in a large crowd to the town. When it began it was a social group and a Progress Association event.
A spokesperson said “With the privatisation of the event by a member of the community the social group feels they are not in a position to support this move.” Social Media went in to a storm with approximately 60 comments regarding the demise of this year’s event. Hilltops Council released a statement that the cancellation of the event was not due to them which was supported by the spokesperson.
Wombations will still enjoy some fun this long weekend with the fireworks set down for Saturday June 10 going ahead as planned. A gold coin donation is requested and there will be a barbeque commenciing at 5pm before the fireworks start at 6pm.
Hilltops Media Release
Hilltops Council played no part in the decision to cancel this weekend’s swap meet gathering in Wombat, and has worked with the local community to help ensure the planned village fireworks event is a success, General Manager Anthony McMahon said.
Mr McMahon said it was his understanding that a lack of shared vision among event organisers in Wombat led to their decision to relocate the swap meet from the Wombat Oval, however those in charge of the swap meet didn’t progress these plans any further with Council.
“Council has a long track record of supporting local community events and was not in any way involved in the decision to cancel the Wombat Swap Meet,” Mr McMahon said.
“There is an approval in place for a swap meet event to be held at the Wombat Oval, however the organisers have chosen not to go ahead in this location and subsequently, have never approached Council with a Development Application (DA) to hold the event elsewhere.
“The bottom line is that Council never rejected a DA for a separate event, because Council never received one in the first place.
“Council has been working closely with members of the Wombat Progress Association (WPA) to help ensure Saturday’s community fireworks display is a success for the area. I congratulate the WPA for their ongoing efforts to co-ordinate and promote events that act as a draw-card for visitors from around the region and beyond,” he said.
The Wombat Progress Association Community Fireworks event will be held this Saturday, 10 June 2017 at Wombat Oval. A barbeque and refreshments will be available from 5.30pm to 9.30pm.
