Today’s column looks at, among other things, Swan Hill’s Country Week tennis tournament.
That tournament was scheduled to begin yesterday, and its Victorian hosts were looking forward to it:
Mayor Bill Moar said the event would provide a great boost to the local economy.
“Country Week is the largest grassroots tennis event in Australia and injects up to $1.5 million into the local economy.
“The event sees accommodation facilities totally booked, hospitality venues in full flight and dollars flowing in the town.”
But then Premier Dan Andrews and his statewide coronavirus restrictions ended the tournament before a single point was played:
On Friday, organisers from the Swan Hill Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club were forced to swallow the loss of $40,000 in perishables and cancel.
“We agree with a lockdown to get on top of it, but the issue is there are no cases in country Victoria, so why are they using such a blunt instrument to cure a problem in Melbourne?” said tournament convenor John Brookshaw.
An enormous amount of work went into Country Week – all for less than nothing:
(Please read on.)
