IT now takes upwards of 30,000 volunteer hours to put on, attracts thousands of visitors each year and injects millions of dollars into the local economy.
Little wonder the Hattah Desert Race, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary this weekend, is one of the biggest and most successful annual events in our vast region.
Entries for this year’s event were snapped up as quickly as Taylor Swift tickets, with almost 900 junior and senior riders, along with their support crews and families, set to hit the famous Hattah desert track.
The extraordinary growth of the race is a testament to the drive and passion of volunteers. And the fact that entries sold out within minutes prove that it is one of the most popular off-road events in the country.
Race committee chair Murray Follett told Sunraysia Daily this week that when the event was restarted in its current form in 1998, there would have been roughly 200 volunteer hours that went into making it happen.
“With the amazing growth the event has undergone, it now takes upward of 30,000 volunteer hours, which is a massive effort,” he said.
But the work is not just done by members of the North West Victorian Motorcycle Club, who deserve so much credit for where the event is today. But other clubs in the region, including Nangiloc, Irymple and Red Cliffs footy and netball clubs, as well as the Mildura Lions Club, also leverage off the event as a fundraiser, allowing them to keep giving back to the broader community.
It’s win-win stuff and a shining example of what can be achieved by country communities working together.
As a community, we should be immensely proud of what the Hattah Desert Race has become.
Accommodation venues across Sunraysia are full for the weekend, restaurants and bars are pumping, and, of course, the famous Hattah Roadhouse also ticks over a pretty good trade.
Sports event tourism is big business, and Mildura must continue to grow in this space.
This year, the new Mildura Sporting Precinct played host to state volleyball championships, which attracted players and families from across country Victoria. A major junior basketball event is also coming to Mildura.
This is all positive and a reason why investment in MSP needs to continue.
We must identify events where the broader community gets bang for their buck, and there is no doubt the Hattah Desert Race delivers that.
This year, the event received $50,000 through Mildura Council’s events funding and support grant program.
While some naysayers may criticise the spending of ratepayer money, they need to consider the millions that it generates across the broader business and tourism sector for the weekend, and beyond. Many stay longer.
And in terms of branding, events like the Hattah Desert Race put us on the map.
To all those visiting our region this weekend for the famous race, we welcome you with open arms and trust that you’ll enjoy everything our region has to offer.
Eat, drink, shop and explore.
To the riders, best of luck in your brave pursuit to conquer the iconic Hattah track.
And to the volunteers, on behalf of your community, thank you.
The extraordinary growth of the Hattah Desert Race over 25 years shows it has been well worth the effort.
