For the first time in its 74-year history, the Riverina Schoolboys Carnival in Junee has been cancelled.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Following constant wet weather, the poor ground conditions have forced the committee to call off this year’s event.
With Laurie Daley Oval and Burns Park already unavailable, the carnival was going to be limited to 125 teams this year.
However a final decision was made on Thursday after a further inspection of the Showgrounds.
Secretary Maree Allamby said the committee was devastated to have called off the carnival but a myriad of factors went into the decision.
“With all this rain the underground watering system is not that far under the ground and because it is so wet it can expose those so there is the safety of the children that you have to take into account,” Allamby said.
Parking was issue with the Showground not large enough for the demand, with the carnival almost doubling Junee’s population for the day
With the forecast looking like more rain and due to the timing of junior rugby league competitions across the region, Allamby said postponing was not deemed a suitable option.
The committee is now focusing on returning bigger and better next year, however the loss does have a large impact of the town’s economy.
Accommodation will be cancelled by a number of visiting teams from Central NSW as they food orders from local businesses.
The raffle, with its major prize being a trip to the NRL Grand Final, will still be drawn on August 6.