Looks like I’ve gained a regular spot in Saturdays Morning Bulletin.
Here’s a column that was published couple of weeks back. Thought I might
had someone from either the cycling club or multi-cultural association
call me to discuss it. But to date nothing. Be interested to know if you
think its a good idea.
The flags of the commissaire’s raised one by one; the crowd hushed as
the gun sounded, and with a strong heave the Rocky Cup on Wheels
started, the back markers quickly gaining ground. Patrons of the
inaugural Fine Food and Wine Festival cheered on the riders from inside
the track. The decision to co-host the food and wine festival with the
annual Rocky Cup on Wheels at the Kenrick Tucker Velodrome proved to be a
success. Much like how the major horse racing days attract crowds with
limited knowledge of the sport.
The decision of the neighbouring Rock Pool Water Park to open an
adjoining fence for the children of the festival patrons to enjoy their
facilities also proved a good decision.
I was thinking of uses for the Music Bowl. It seems a shame that a
community event like Carols by Candlelight may no longer have a home.
If only the Music Bowl could be more regularly, viably utilised. One
thought was a Fine Food and Wine Festival. However it takes time to
establish a successful event. If though the event was held in
conjunction and complimented another event then the sum could be greater
than its parts.
The Rocky Cup on Wheels is indisputably a major cycling event but to get
support from the non-cycling community it needs an x factor (xtra crowd
puller). In the past Sean Eadie and Ryan Bayley were the x factor.
Anna Meares is also an x factor. Cadel Evans would be the one for this
year Rocky Cup on Wheels (non-cycling people wouldn’t care that he is
not a track rider, they just want to see cycling’s man of the moment).
However appearance fees, availability and only being a short term fix
makes it a fickle foundation to build an event on.
By complimenting it with another event that has potential to grow the
overall support base, surely it has to be worth considering. Maybe a
representative from the local multi-cultural association could meet with
the Rocky Cup on Wheels committee to see if there is potential.
Council could possibly help them access funding through the Queensland
Event Corporation to kick start the inaugural collaboration. Sponsorship
opportunities for wine/beverages/food would add to existing cycling
sponsors. Plus there have got to be opportunities for the neighbouring
Rock Pool Water Park and maybe even Diggers Bowls Club as well as the
YWCA hall to be utilised. Like I said the sum could be greater than its
parts. It’s just a thought. And it would add something else to the
city’s event calendar.
Now back to the Music Bowl, or should we consider what could be done
with the money raised from its sale!