Will Hunter, Yorke Peninsula Country Times
A lack of volunteers has spelled the end for a major staple of the Copper Coast New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The event held at the Wallaroo jetty — consisting of amusement rides and food vendors — will not run this year following the disbanding of the CCNYE committee.
The committee, responsible for organising the fireworks display and associated event, was forced to fold after unsuccessful attempts to secure enough members to adequately manage the celebrations.
Copper Coast Council has taken over management of the fireworks display, with sessions to remain at 9.30pm and midnight, and council is investigating ways of supporting local food vans and eateries.
CCC tourism and events officer Chloe Barrett said it was disappointing to see the committee fold.
“Council has done a lot to assist the operation of this committee; however, if they don’t get the volunteers required, there is not much we can do,” Ms Barrett said.
“The New Year’s Eve event is a significant undertaking — people don’t realise this, but every year I start planning in April.
“It takes a lot of time to organise the associated event and everything which goes with it, including waste management, cleaners, road closures, security, power, water and dry zones to name a few.”
Ms Barrett said she recognised New Year’s Eve was a challenging period for many families and individuals to give up their time to help out and urged strength in numbers when it came to volunteering.
“We could run the event with about 10 volunteers, although they would be exhausted as they would have to work all night,” Ms Barrett said.
“If you had a pool of 20, every- one would only be required to do a small shift consisting of a couple of hours.
“The more the better, but really the committee needs a president, secretary and treasurer to keep it afloat and manage all of the funding associated with the event and fireworks.”
Wallaroo Community Development Association vice-president Trevor Cox said it was disappointing to see the event not run due to a lack of volunteers.
“We live in faint hope without the sideshows and other celebrations, more people might be willing to step up to ensure it can be run in the future,” Mr Cox said.
“We are really pleased CCC has taken over the management of the fireworks display and is looking at alternatives to ensure some celebrations can still occur.”
The Wallaroo Lions Market will also be held at the John Terrace Reserve, Wallaroo from 4pm to 8pm on Sunday, December 31.
This article appeared in the Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 26 September 2023.
