Neil Blizzard has recommitted to his role as Stawell Athletic Club president after its recent annual general meeting.
The committee had previously appointed presidents for one year, but due to the Stawell Gift being cancelled in 2020, Mr Blizzard was re-elected into the position.
In 2020 it was also announced a new governing body was formed to protect Stawell Gift's future. Mr Blizzard also sits on this committee on behalf of the Stawell Athletic Club.
Mr Blizzard said it was exciting times for the club and the inclusion of the new committee.
"2020 has left a really unusual feeling," he said.
"The club means a lot to me and at this stage without the 2020 Gift and the new management committee, I felt like I was only half done.
"Being president again will give me a chance to help both committees finish what we started.
"When you join something or be a part of it you like to leave it in a better shape than when you came in.
"Because of the year we've had, I don't feel like I've achieved this."
Mr Blizzard said organising the event never stopped and after the 2020 Gift was cancelled the committee moved straight into planning for the 2021 event.
"We don't stop any of our planning ever," he said.
"There is some belief that we have a little break but that's not the case.
"We work hard all year round to make sure we have the best Gift we can each year."
He said the committee would take on notes from the 2019 Gift to plan 2021.
"Because we didn't have the Gift we will need to rely on the notes we took after the 2019 Gift," he said.
"Each year it's evolving. We look at what's been great and what hasn't worked.
"There hasn't been many that hasn't been great but sometimes you can modify some things.
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"This year in our planning for next we're probably ahead - but we're also probably behind."
On November 6, 502 Primary School will run their annual 'Gift' at Central Park.
"It's exciting we will at least get one 'Gift' on Central Park this year," Mr Blizzard said.
"The students really enjoy the event and running the track.
"As a club we really enjoy this event and the excitement it brings for the school students.
"This is where it all starts with getting the next generation interested and involved with the Gift and the Stawell Athletic Club. After all, they will be the future to drive this event for our town."
The Stawell Gift carnival runs across the Easter weekend. In 2021 Easter is on April 2-5.
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Cassandra Langley
Rural and regional story-telling is where my passion lies. Email: cassandra.langley@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Rural and regional story-telling is where my passion lies. Email: cassandra.langley@austcommunitymedia.com.au
