Launceston's Andrew Robinson is among a group of former Stawell Gift winners who have banded together to ensure the future of the iconic event.
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Following news that the Stawell Athletic Club rejected $280,000 from the Victorian government after a mandatory recommendation to change the event's committee structure wasn't put in place, the 2013 winner has been left disappointed.
"We just want the race to maintain its tradition as the absolute pinnacle of the sport," Robinson said.
"A lot of us ex-gift winners have been speaking and we just want the gift to be able to give lots back to the people like it's given to us so we are hoping that it can turn around."
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Aided by the government with funding for the 2019 instalment of the event, changes to its organising structure had to be made in order to guarantee future financial assistance.
Robinson, 27, describes the win as the best day of his life and feels as though both sides need to meet in the middle.
"I can certainly understand from the Stawell Athletic Club's point of view that they love their traditional aspect of things, but in society, we have to move forward and I really hope they can meet in the middle somewhere and make a change for the positive because it's a real shame if the gift went into decline.
"It's something I hold really dear in my heart and it's something so special that I want any gift winner going forward to have the exact same special experience that I've had.
"I think we are all of the same opinion as gift winners that we want it to remain iconic and have that appeal. We all enjoy going there, getting together and reminiscing and reflecting on something that's really so special in everyone's life that goes there."
The Stawell Athletics Club have insisted the event, Australia's richest and most prestigious footrace, will still go ahead during its traditional timeslot of Easter in 2020 while the government have kept their funding offer on the table.
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Josh Partridge
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
