Vol. 19 No. 6
FREE PUBLICATION
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Longerenong College feature
Looking for forever homes
Wimmera football and netball finals
PAGES 18-21
PAGE 16
Australian Editorial Award 2016
LIFT-OUT INSIDE
Centre for big events T
BY DEAN LAWSON
he visit of a high-profile international stunt show in the Wimmera next year has fuelled a long-running push for Horsham to become the events capital of western Victoria. Nitro Circus, likely to attract a crowd of between 8000 and 10,000 in a one-off Easter performance at Horsham City Oval next year, has joined a growing queue of high-profile events planned for the city. Horsham Rural City Council tourism and major events co-ordinator Chris McClure said Horsham was well placed to exploit its growing reputation for staging major shows and presentations. “Keep watching this space. There probably won’t be anything as big as Nitro Circus for a while, but there is plenty going on,” he said. “We’re constantly researching and looking at the calendar, specifically weekends, where we might be able to establish unique events. “And yes, this is all part of a strategic push to establish Horsham as the place where the big events happen in western Victoria.” Mr McClure made the comments as Wimmera sports fans continued to soak up news the cross-platform action show Nitro Circus, which boasts a massive world-wide following, had pencilled in Horsham as part of an Australian leg of a global tour. Nitro Circus involves a staff of 81, including 36 daredevil athletes and 12 semi-trailer loads of equipment.
IN THIS ISSUE
“We basically explored what happened when Nitro Circus visited Orange in NSW, which in many ways is similar to Horsham and the effect on the town was significant,” Mr McClure said. “The visit to Horsham will represent a test case to see whether people will stay home at Easter to be part of this amazing one-off event or head off to the coast or somewhere else. “We have the potential to fill out over Easter, which will be good, not only for Horsham but also surrounding districts. “It will also act as a conduit into new opportunities and allows us to see if we could establish and perhaps own future events in Horsham.” While Horsham leaders are working to put the city on the national events map, the region as a whole continues to make the most of opportunities ranging from musical festivals to food, tourism and sporting attractions. Apart from the visit from Nitro Circus, Horsham has already started preparations for World Junior Motocross Championships at Horsham’s Dooen circuit in 2018. Broadcasters will telecast the racing action live to a world-wide audience and more than 40 journalists from around the world will cover the event, the first time it has been in Australia. As part of the build-up, which now includes the Nitro Circus visit, Australian junior motocross championships will also be in Horsham next month. “We want to build the reputation and put on as many events or shows, where appropriate, as possible with an aim of extending their economic value,” Mr McClure said.
HAPPY TO HELP: Horsham district’s Storm Brokenbrow and ‘Spida’ are all smiles during a Horsham Pony Club August money-raising rally at Balls Farm at Pimpinio. The rally involved 25 riders who raised more than $5000 for a Rachael’s Wish Wimmera Cancer Centre appeal. Young members gave up their annual December Christmas camp to take part in the Rachael’s Wish rally, which involved gaining sponsorship to take part in five, 10 or 15-kilometre trail rides. Picture: SAMANTHA SPENCE
• Wimmera River flowing • Bypass debate • Cycling stars in Rio
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