THE Hunter Coal Festival is set to continue into the future.
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But, when and in what format is yet to be determined, according to the committee’s chairman Peter Eason.
“Now that the inaugural event is done and dusted, it’s safe to say much was achieved and learnt,” he said.
“And, everything points to the initiative being a major regular date on the Singleton calendar.”
Mr Eason hosted a post-festival overview meeting at the Singleton Visitor Information and Enterprise Centre on Wednesday.
He admitted the economic benefit of the event had been substantial.
“Even though numbers are still being crunched, the figure could surpass $2 million – taking in the Hunter Mining Show, Mining Legends Lunch, industry and exhibitor participation and the Community Day,” he said.
“Involvement across the many events (nearly 30) meant about 12,000 people were directly engaged, entertained and informed.
“Indirectly, the great majority of residents across the Hunter – and all of its communities – became strongly exposed to the importance of the ties that bind our industry and community.
“Charity support was also a huge success.
“Lunches, dinners, sausage sizzles, sporting activities, raffles, auctions and donations easily surpassed $200,000 for worthy causes.
“On the Sunday of the Mail Run Bike Ride and Rix’s Creek Golf Day, almost $50,000 alone was raised in a single day.
“That enabled the Cancer Council, Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, HMRI and a range of sporting and community groups to benefit from the Hunter Coal Festival.
“The money definitely flowed back into the local community.”
Mr Eason expects the next festival to undergo vital changes.
“In terms of the number of events, and the three-week length, most people agree it was a little too drawn out,” he said.
“Revising the program over a nine-day period, incorporating two weekends, will deliver a better focus and greater overall control.
“Geographically, everyone agrees the ‘pit to port’ strategy taking in Newcastle, Singleton and Muswellbrook worked well.
“We’ll now liaise with the Singleton Business Chamber to determine the future of the event.
“But, I’m fairly confident we’ll see the Hunter Coal Festival again.”