ONE of tomorrow’s main events might have fallen victim to the uncertain weather, but it’s still looking like the biggest day for Portland and the wider region since before the coronavirus pandemic.

A huge line-up of activities is on the cards for locals and visitors alike, building on a busy weekend past and growing momentum for events this year since the lifting of pandemic restrictions.

That’s despite one of the events, the corkscrew climb and open day at the Port of Portland, falling foul of the weather forecast.

It still leaves the Waterfront Cabaret and its associated events,  the Powerhouse Car Club’s 50th birthday celebrations (see story on Page 2), a BMX expo on the foreshore in the afternoon (story on Page 4), the launch of the Portland Arts Centre 2023 season tomorrow night and the Glenelg Vintage Machinery Club’s Tractor Trek from Heywood to Nelson and Dartmoor (story on Page 8).

Coming on top of several events last weekend, it shows the region is back as a centre of events.

Portland Tourist Association president Joy Hocken said the region had also been attracting its fair share of visitors.

“There’s still quite a few tourists around and they’re on the move again which is really great,” she said.

And while the corkscrew climb won’t take place tomorrow, it is likely to do so soon.

“We’re unable to hold the event tomorrow due to the inclement weather forecast,” said Port chief executive Greg Tremewen.

“It is forecast to rain pretty much all day with thunderstorms throughout the day.

“This will create very wet, slippery conditions whether it be getting on and off the buses, going up to the corkscrew itself or walking out to the corkscrew from the smelter berth.”

Mr Tremewen said the Port was disappointed to have to postpone the event given the community interest and the amount of work put in to organising it by executive assistant Janine Marra, with more than 30 volunteers also due to take part.

“We will be rescheduling the day, at this stage it looks likely to be in late-January,” he said.

The Port would provide more details in the next month.

Meanwhile it is still all systems go for the Waterfront Cabaret, a throwback to the successful fundraising balls organised by Gail Jaensch, who is also behind this event.

The sold-out gala dinner will take place in the Portland Civic Hall tomorrow night, with plenty of musical entertainment and Collingwood premiership footballers Nick Maxwell and Dane Swan and media personality Dennis Walter among those in attendance.

Ms Jaensch said the nearby Clock by the Bay restaurant had closed for the night and its seven chefs had donated their time to cater for the gala dinner.

“It’s just amazing,” she said.

“The town response and from the public has been incredible.”

The footballers are also due to be at the Royal Hotel from 12.30pm to about 3pm as part of a ‘meet and greet’, and Maxwell will appear there tonight as part of a fundraising dinner.

Weather depending, a Royal Australian Air Force Roulette will fly over the foreshore about 1.30pm and 6.30pm.

Money raised will go towards the Stroke Foundation to help prevent, beat and treat stroke.

Stroke Foundation chief executive Sharon McGowan said Ms Jaensch “really is a local hero” for organising the fundraiser, the idea for which came from losing her own mother to a stroke.

“I thank Gail for turning her personal tragedy into such a positive thing for the community,” Ms McGowan said.

“Unfortunately, regional Australians are 17 per cent more likely to have a stroke than people living in metropolitan areas so anything we can do to raise awareness in these smaller communities and help prevent these strokes from occurring, goes a long way in saving lives.”