It has been a case of “all hands on deck” in recent weeks to prepare the venue for the 78th annual South East Interschool Athletics Carnival on Friday.

The yearly event attracts around 500 students from eight participating secondary schools and colleges and it is the responsibility of Millicent High School to host it in 2023.

Taking part in the day-long carnival from 9am-2pm will be the four secondary schools in Mount Gambier as well as the high schools at Millicent, Naracoorte, Penola and Bordertown.

A well-attended working bee was held in the grounds of MHS on Sunday with 30 staff and parents using the time to ensure the oval and grounds were in ship-shape condition.

With only a few days to go, particular attention was paid to weeding garden beds and trimming trees.

It was not supposed to be the rostered turn of Millicent to host it until 2025.

However, the two schools in front of Millicent withdrew from the hosting duties six months ago and so the Mount Burr Road educational facility has filled the breach.

Speaking at the working bee on Sunday, MHS principal Todd Watson has been pleased with the positive support for staging the interschool athletics carnival from the MHS staff, student cohort and parent body.

“Everyone has come together to help,” he said.

Mr Watson said various Millicent businesses and organisations had been very helpful and singled out Wattle Range Council for particular praise.

“The council has lent us some spectator stands, provided garden mulch and cleaned up the main drain in front of the school along Mount Burr Road,” he said.

“The final mowing of the oval will be done by the council.

“They will then catch up the grass clippings and then roll the oval.

“We are grateful to local businesses who have provided labour to prepare the school along with materials at either no charge or at cost price.

“The Millicent Lions Club hot chip van will be here on Friday while the Millicent Little Athletics Club has lent us their automatic gate timers.”

Come Friday, the host school’s athletics squad will be raring to go while the Student Representative Council and home economics classes will be assisting with a sausage sizzle and other catering.

Otherwise, MHS students will not be at the campus and they will undertake online learning at their homes.

This will free up the MHS teachers and ancillary staff to undertake a myriad of judging, marshalling and other essential tasks at the athletics meet.

One of the key players at MHS overseeing the preparations has been its groundsman, Dylan Clough.

A cabinetmaker by trade, he took up the groundsman’s position only last July in succession to Dave Thomas.

“I like this type of work and I was ready for a change,” Mr Clough said.

“I went to high school here at Millicent.

“I did not have much success in the running events but won the javelin, shot put and discus throwing events.”

Mr Clough has enjoyed A Grade premiership success with the Hatherleigh Football Club and the Rendelsham Cricket Club along with four T20 titles with South Gambier in the Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association.

With only six months’ notice, hosting a regional sporting event is a different challenge for Mr Clough but one he feels confident of meeting.

He said the presence of vast numbers of corellas had created a nuisance and extra work.

“We have regularly watered, fertilised and top-dressed the oval so it can be the best possible surface,” Mr Clough said.

“The lane lines will be painted again this week.

“With Friday’s forecast being 20 degrees and overcast, Millicent should have a perfect day.”