COVID-19 dramas forcing the postponement of this year's World Jousting Championships in Victoria won't stop Orange's bid for next year's title.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
However, our state government could.
Event organiser, Tournament X director Andrew McKinnon said he was awaiting approval of a $200,000 grant from the NSW government to be able to run the event in Orange in 2022.
It is a much bigger song and dance than the other ones
- Andrew McKinnon, World Jousting Championships organiser
Mr McKinnon said he was hoping for a prompt answer.
"It is ultimately up to them. My understanding is it will be soon," he said.
Mr McKinnon said he would need that funding to run the event in Orange. "Absolutely, these things are fairly costly," he said.
"It's about delivering a really big quality event."
He said a crowd of 12,000-15,000 was expected in Orange.
Mr McKinnon said the world championships was one of a number of jousting events his company ran in Australia but it was the main event. "It is a much bigger song and dance than the other ones," he said.
"It is like Formula One and Formula Ford [a junior car racing category]," he said.
Mr McKinnon said he had been forced to postpone the 2021 championships planned for Gippsland in Victoria from October to early 2022 due to that state's COVID restrictions.
However, he said that would not stop the Orange event happening in the same year.
Orange City Council this week approved $20,000 funding a year to help run the event in the Orange region in 2022 and 2023. That includes $10,000 cash and $10,000 of 'in-kind' support services.
Mr McKinnon said COVID restrictions on international travel could limit the potential for overseas jousters to attend the Orange event.
However, he said even if it was a 'local derby' the quality would still be present as the reigning champion and arguably the top three jousters in the world were Australians.
Mr McKinnon said he was encouraged by the support from the council for the event. "As far as enthusiasm goes they have got enthusiasm in buckets," he said.
Mr McKinnon said he would soon meet with council staff via Zoom to discuss his plans and consider a venue for the jousting and its associated medieval faire.
He said he had ties to the Orange area with relatives here, including members of the Hazelton aviation family.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.centralwesterndaily.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
HAVE YOUR SAY
- Send us a letter to the editor using the form below ...