Wendy Lovell MP, State Member for Northern Victoria Region, Media Release, 29 October 2021

The Liberal Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has sought a guarantee from the Andrews Labor Government that will ensure the running of the 2022 Bendigo Easter Fair.

Speaking during the adjournment debate in State Parliament recently, Ms Lovell sought confirmation from the Minister for Tourism, Sport & Major Events Martin Pakula that the Fair will proceed as planned and that the Easter Parade can go ahead as a non-ticketed event and will not require the checking of attendee’s vaccination status.

The Easter Fair is one of Victoria’s biggest community celebrations and is organised by the Bendigo Easter Fair Society, in partnership with the City of Greater Bendigo’s ‘Bendigo Easter Fair Reference Committee’ and the Bendigo Chinese Association, which presents the historic processional Dragons during the parade.

In her contribution, Ms Lovell said the requirements in the State Government’s overly conservative Roadmap cast doubt on some large events like the Bendigo Easter Fair to proceed and with the parade conducted through the streets of the CBD, it would be impossible to enclose it and run it as a ticketed event.

Ms Lovell said the Bendigo Easter Fair Society had attempted to get clarification from the Government on the COVID management requirements for next year’s Fair without success and called on Mr Pakula to provide the clarity required to ensure the Easter Fair goes ahead in 2022 as planned.

Comments attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell:

“Next year will be the 150th edition of Bendigo Easter Fair and the entire Greater Bendigo community wants to celebrate what is one of regional Victoria’s biggest events.

“The Bendigo Easter Fair Society need confirmation by the end of November that they can conduct the Easter Fair as they have planned, or they will be forced to cancel the event and I urge the Minister to provide the clarity the Society has been seeking.”