Call goes out for Smythesdale locals to get involved in market

ORGANISERS of the Smythesdale Country Market are calling on locals to get involved in organising and running the popular event as one of its stalwarts steps aside.

Market manager Bill MacNeill is relinquishing his duties because of other commitments, causing the event’s major beneficiary – the Woady Yaloak Historical Society – to consider its options.

Officials have decided to push on and share Mr MacNeill’s duties among themselves, but admits the event’s future could be precarious unless townspeople step up.

Mr MacNeill, a well-known Smythesdale identity, has found himself with too much to do in terms of his involvement with several local groups, and has reluctantly made the decision to step down.

“That’s the issue with a lot of voluntary organisations – everyone is absolutely flat out,” Mr MacNeill said.

“There’s a lot going on. I’m spreading myself a bit too thin, to be frank about it.”

Mr MacNeill said the market needs more people to get involved as volunteers, and not necessarily to only perform the practical work of setting up the market each month.

“We want to get more people involved in organising special activities and events for the market,” he said.

“The market is not just a fundraising event; it’s a community event that has all those community connections and benefits.

“But in order for it to continue to have that focus … we need more people from the community to get involved.”

The market is a fundraiser for the Woady Yaloak Historical Society and is held at the Smythesdale Historic Precinct from 9am to 1pm every third Saturday of each month except January.

The society uses the money for upkeep of the Brooke Street precinct, including the buildings and information boards, as well as for administrative costs.

Historical society president Kylie Fenton said Mr MacNeill’s role would be shared between existing society members until more people could be found.

“We have to play it by ear,” Ms Fenton said. “If we don’t get community help I don’t know what the future of the market will be.”

Ms Fenton said that while the society wanted individuals to come on board, local groups would also be welcome to be part of running the market.

Anyone interested in getting involved can call Mr MacNeill on 0409 145 267 or can send an email to [email protected].