First it was fire ... now floods. Mother Nature has - for the second time - stopped the 66th Annual Macksville Gift in its tracks.
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When the thick smoke of the November fires choked out the Valley's premier footrace, the mostly green Gift Committee vowed to reschedule the event, come hell or high water.
But this seasonal soaking once again put a damper on their best laid plans.
The disappointment was thick at last night's emergency committee meeting. But all knew the 66th Gift was dead in the ankle-deep water which covered the Buz Brazel Oval yesterday after another solid drenching on Sunday.
"When we went out to have a look at the field on Sunday afternoon, the part where the 120m Gift was to be run was dry, but the larger track was submerged. At that stage we were thinking it was 50/50 - if we had a miracle of some sunny weather, it might still be ok to run," publicity officer Jamie Daley said.
"Then on Sunday evening it bucketed down."
Field manager Ritchie Donovan called yesterday to confirm that even if the oval dried in time - and it would need two rain-free days to do so - he would not have the time needed to mow and mark the track for Saturday's races.
Thankfully the Committee had held their gift horses, deciding to leave the printing of the program until the last minute.
"So we didn't lose a great amount of money, which is good. And we had a few new sponsors come on board with us this year which helped. We'll now have to go and speak with them to see whether they're happy to wait until the next Gift in November," Jamie said.
The fledgling 2019 Gift Committee members have well-and-truly earned their feathers. Thankfully Jamie and her husband Steven (president) are taking the storm in their stride.
"It is what it is. It hasn't been great, and it's been a lot of work, but we've enjoyed the organising process and I'd like to see one run," Jamie said. "It's funny - by the time we get to November it'll be the third time organising the Gift, but the first time actually running one."
And there are big ideas already being hatched for November: Jamie said the Committee had been discussing that it was high time for a 'Women's Gift' race to be run, and is asking for any sponsors keen to support progress to put their names forward.
Ever onward!
