Yesterday, the Stawell Athletics Club announced the 2020 Stawell Gift will not be rescheduled in the 2020 calendar year.
The event was postponed in March due to the impacts of COVID-19, and at an executive meeting this week it was unanimously decided to cancel the Gift for 2020.
The Mayor and CEO of the Northern Grampians Shire Council have released the following statement regarding the cancellation of this iconic event.
Northern Grampians Shire Mayor, Murray Emerson, said:
“While it is disappointing it was decided to cancel the 2020 Stawell Gift, council understands this decision was not made lightly and supports and respects the Athletic Club and Sport and Recreation Victoria in this decision.”
“Northern Grampians Shire Council is looking forward to a bigger and better effort for the 2021 Gift with an even stronger relationship between all the committee stakeholders, event partners and, of course, the athletes themselves.”
“The cancellation of the 2020 Stawell Gift also gives us a little bit of extra time to plan what will be a very famous running of the Stawell Easter Gift next year.”
Northern Grampians Shire CEO, Liana Thompson, said:
“It was a unanimous decision made at the first meeting of the extended management committee held this week and represents a great demonstration of all of us working together to ensure the prosperity of the race.”
“Council wholeheartedly thanks every member of the committee for their respect and dedication in making this event the best it can possibly be for 2021.”
