JOINING an ever-increasing list of local shows, events and sport disruptions due to the ongoing wet weather, was the 2022 Dunkeld Cup and Coleraine Show, which were both cancelled in the last few days.

The news came as Hamilton recorded its fourth-highest ever rainfall for the month of October since records began in 1878, with 136.4 millimetres only eclipsed by 1975, 1949 and 1894 with 140, 146 and 190mm respectively.

It was the first time since 1992 the rainfall was over 100mm for the month.

Originally scheduled for this Saturday, the Coleraine Show will no longer be going ahead with the Coleraine Pastoral and Agricultural Society secretary, Taylor Warnock saying the soaked condition of the town’s showgrounds along with more forecasted rain made the show impossible to hold.

“It was really just the poor weather that was coming through,” she said.

“You couldn’t get anybody in, whether that was vehicle or walking in.

“There’s no parking or anything, it’s just sort of too dangerous out there for people to be milling around.”

Asked by The Spectator if they had considered a postponement, Ms Warnock said they felt it better to start with a completely new show for next year.

“We did think about it,” she said.

“It was quite a lengthy discussion but we thought we’d sort of focus our efforts on just completely rescheduling to next November.

“It was sort of easier that way.”

Coleraine P & A Society president, Neil Lawson said a postponement wasn’t really an option.

“If we move it to January or March, there’s a few things that will be out of season,” he said.

He also said it was disappointing to have a lot of pre-show work been done with many people helping and having “nothing to show” for it.

Ms Warnock said the show’s planned shearing and wool classing event would be held on December 3.

“But that won’t be a big event,” she said.

“It’s more just for the shearers to earn a couple of points towards the end of the year.”

The 2022 Dunkeld Cup, originally set to take place on November 12, has also been cancelled due to the wet conditions, making it three years since crowds were able to gather at the popular race.

Southern Grampians Shire Council mayor, David Robertson expressed his disappointment at the cancellation of the Dunkeld Cup, saying the event brings a boost to Dunkeld that benefits the whole town.

“We share the disappointment of the Dunkeld racing club and the entire community at the abandonment of the 2022 Dunkeld Cup,” he said. 

“We know how much work the committee had already done in preparing for the event and there was certainly real excitement in the air about being able to have crowds attend for the first time since 2019.

“These once-a-year race meetings are so important for the local economy, with restaurants and bars normally at capacity and accommodation long booked out in Dunkeld and surrounds for the weekend.”

 Cr Robertson said anyone originally planning to visit Dunkeld for the races should still come as there are plenty of eye-catching attractions and activities to fill the weekend.

“We echo the Dunkeld Racing club’s sentiments and encourage those who have booked to come to the region for that weekend to please continue with their plans,” he said.

“The Grampians, currently showcasing a mass of wildflowers, have so much natural wonder to offer for a relaxing break, and a short drive from Dunkeld will take you to the Nigretta and Wannon waterfalls which given the rain, are now at their most spectacular. 

“Hamilton Gallery’s current exhibition, the highly acclaimed ‘Luminous: John Orval Stained Glass Artist’ has now been extended to Sunday 27 November as well, so there’s plenty to see and do right across the Greater Hamilton Region.”

Local business owners are also encouraging people not to cancel their travel plans and instead enjoy the tourist attractions around the area.

Dunkeld General Store owner, Melissa Field said it was sad the races had been called off but she hoped people would still take the opportunity to explore the town despite the wet weather.

“People will hopefully keep their accommodation bookings and come to Dunkeld to spend time around the town and the region,” she said.

Royal Mail Hotel general manager, Peter Dillon shared the same thought and said a significant portion of their guests had opted to retain their bookings. 

“Although it is disappointing to see the William Thomson Dunkeld Cup Day not going ahead this year, we have contacted the guests staying with us for the event, and most are still planning to come to experience our food, wine and the beauty of the Southern Grampians at this time of year,” he said.

Carrazzo Consulting managing director, Paul Carrazzo was also disappointed at the cancellation of the Dunkeld Cup as the chartered accounting business - which is finalising setting up their Dunkeld office - was planning to sponsor a new race named ‘The Carrazzo Consulting Tauto Sprint’.

“It’s disappointing we didn’t get it running this year,” he said.

“Tauto is a legend and it’s about time he was properly acknowledged, I thought he should have his name in the race somewhere.

“I even had a silver platter trophy made up, but now we will have to change the date.

“We love the whole Dunkeld Cup Day experience … we still entirely support the Club - I share their grief in not being able to get the event going this year.”