The Andrews Labor Government is backing Australia’s oldest and most prestigious footrace, with the running of the 141st Stawell Gift.
A staple of the Easter weekend, the exciting three-days of track action will culminate with today’s Powercor Men’s Gift and Change Our Game Women’s Gift, with finalists chasing a $40,000 winners’ cheque across both races.
Today is Finals Day at Central Park and features a packed schedule of races beyond the Gift finals, including the popular Herb Hedemann Invitation Handicap and a women’s 1000 metre Invitational Handicap.
The women’s Handicap will see some of Australia’s top female middle distance athletes go head-to-head including Abbey Caldwell, Jessica Hull, Linden Hall and Catriona Bisset.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos will be watching today’s finals and congratulated Stawell Gift Event Management, the Stawell Athletic Club, Northern Grampians Shire Council and the Victorian Athletic League for delivering the time-honoured event.
The Easter long weekend provides the ideal opportunity for visitors to explore Stawell and nearby towns in the Grampians region, providing a huge boon for local jobs and businesses.
The Gift offers plenty for spectators to enjoy on and off the track with the annual Fashions at Central Park on Saturday and family-friendly activities across the weekend including mini athletics clinics, carnival rides and the chance to meet the track stars.
The Labor Government has invested more than $1.3 million over the past four years to help secure a strong future for the race which generated more than $3.7 million for the state’s visitor economy in 2022.
This year’s schedule of events featured over 700 entrants across more than 60 races and today’s finals feature some of Australia’s best sprinters trying to join an illustrious honour roll of past winners.
Stawell and the Grampians region will be broadcast across Australia with the final day of racing to be shown live on Channel Seven with over 1 million people expected to tune in, showcasing a picturesque part of Victoria.
The Government invests in the Stawell Gift and projects across regional Victoria to promote growth, build infrastructure and bring world-class events to our state.
As stated by Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos
“The Stawell Gift is an iconic event for regional Victoria and we’re proud to support the Gift to ensure it keeps thriving long into the future.”
“The Gift brings visitors from across Victoria and around Australia to Stawell, providing jobs and boosting local businesses.”
