Race Organisers Urge Community Support to Revive Local Events

The Hāwea Picnic Racing Club is calling for community support as it faces challenges in organizing its annual racing event. After last year’s races were cancelled due to insufficient entries, the club aims to host the races on December 30, 2023, in a bid to attract racing enthusiasts from the region.

Gerry Shaw, a resident of Hāwea Flat and a key figure in the organization, emphasized the urgent need for new members. He noted that the club relies heavily on volunteers to sustain its operations. “We didn’t run one race day last year as we didn’t have the people, and that was a shame,” Shaw stated. He believes that without increased participation, the long-standing tradition of picnic racing may be at risk.

The annual meeting of the Hāwea Picnic Racing Club is scheduled for October 1, 2023, at 19:30 at the Lake Hāwea community centre. Shaw encouraged anyone interested in learning more about the event to attend. The picnic meeting has been a staple in the community since 1946, only having been cancelled on two occasions: once due to adverse weather and once as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This is just a fun day out, and it is really family-oriented,” Shaw explained. The event encourages attendees to bring their own refreshments, keeping costs low for families. Last week, the club held a meeting that attracted only six attendees, highlighting the need for a stronger community turnout to ensure the event’s success.

Historically, the races draw around 1,500 visitors and feature multiple races alongside a full schedule of family entertainment. However, in 2023, the club was only able to host five races due to dwindling entries. While crowds have consistently shown up to watch the events, the participation of racers has been lacking.

Shaw’s plea underscores a critical moment for the Hāwea Picnic Racing Club. The future of this cherished community event hinges on increased involvement from local residents, ensuring that the spirit of the races continues for years to come.