Gathering ‘deadline’

Erin Pearson
GEELONG Highland Gathering has until June to avoid folding, according to an organiser.
John Fraser said the event committee could keep operating for the next six months but would then have to find several new permanent members.
The committee had been running with places “tentatively filled” but needed a permanent secretary, a treasurer, a grounds marshal and two non-executive members, he said.
The committee would have to disband if it failed to fill the places.
“What is required by our constitution is a full and functional executive committee. Currently we don’t have that,” Mr Fraser said.
“We have a president until June but we urgently need five members who are willing to operate on the committee.”
Mr Fraser was “semi-confident” of filling the positions in time to continue the 153-year-old event.
“We need someone who is really dedicated, as past people have ended up burning out.
“The positions need someone who is self-motivated and willing to contribute a bit of time to a not-for-profit organisation.
“I am hopeful.”
The June deadline follows a report in last week’s Independent on concerns about the event’s new site at Fyansford Common.
Geelong’s council forced the gathering to relocate from its traditional Queens Park base to Fyansford after a clash with football and cricket seasons.
Mr Fraser has labelled the Fyansford site as “uneven, unreliable and at risk of flooding”.
He hoped organisers could work with council to find a better location for 2011.
Mr Fraser said the gathering committee would run a public meeting to recruit new members at Geelong RSL next Thursday.