New Year’s Eve celebrations in Mount Gambier remain uncertain after the organisers of the city’s annual event announced it would cancel the Vansittart Park gathering.


Mount Gambier Community Events Management Inc made the “heartbreaking decision” to cancel the 2023 event.


Chair Scott Turner said the decision was not made lightly, “owing to a number of circumstances that have impacted on the committee over the past 12 months.”


“It is only a small committee and the workload is considerable,” he said.


“We are in the process of recruiting more members and I am happy to report we have made positive headway with this particular issue.


“Other problems the committee have been facing is the loss of funding for the event, rising costs to stage the event and keeping the event relevant. These are the matters the new committee will need to address for 2024.


“Although the event for 2023 is cancelled, I wish to stress this is not the end of the celebrations and we will be working towards having the event in 2024.


“A lot of people over the past 13 years have all contributed to the success of the event and I firmly believe the broader community wish to see the event continue. I reiterate, we will be working towards that goal.”


Mr Turner said the local community “deserves a big thank you as they have supported the event and from my perspective have clearly indicated they value the event and want to see it continue”.


“It is very much a family inclusive activity that all can enjoy on NYE,” he said.


“All community events contribute to the very fabric of a vibrant community and we should all strive to support and contribute either by attending, sponsoring or helping to organise. It is important.


“We will be back.”


However, Mount Gambier City Council is now investigating incorporating New Year’s Eve celebrations into its new activation in the city’s CBD.