The festival ran last year with a committee of three, and president Maxine Mullins said it was unsustainable to continue taking on that workload.

“It is a shame, but there was only a committee of three of us last year and it was a massive event to run,” she said.

“We all work full-time, and we were doing it on our weekends and at night.

“It’s a bit sad, it was a great thing for the community, but if you can’t get the support you're banging your head up against a brick wall.”

Some events that are traditionally part of the festival will still run, including the Moorina Golf Challenge, Delamere Music Festival, Ledgerwood Lane Car Challenge, and Bridport Fun Run.

However, the Derby River Derby will not be taking place this year. 

North East Rivers Festival committee will be holding another public meeting in November, date to be confirmed, in the hope that more people will volunteer for planning roles for the 2019 festival. 

The committee is also considering making the event two-yearly to ease the workload and make it more attractive to potential volunteers. 

“If we get enough interest it will definitely go ahead next year,” Ms Mullins said. 

The Derby River Derby has been running in Tasmania for 40 years, and spawned the larger North East Rivers Festival that runs over two weekends in October with events throughout the Dorset region. The derby involves rafting down the Ringarooma River, often in creatively-made watercraft and in costume. There are a range of races culminating in the King of the River race, along with a duck race that punters can bet on, markets, and on-land entertainment. 

See www.neriversfestival.com.au for more information or to get in touch with the committee. 

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