July 19, 2013

The “South Burnett Shines” community expo planned for Nanango next month is definitely still going ahead but it won’t be run under the umbrella of Boots’n Bulldust Inc.

Nanango businesswoman Cath Kenny, whose “crazy idea” sparked the planning for the event, announced this on Facebook on Wednesday evening.

She said it was to do with “issues that have arisen with other members of the community”.

“It was a mutual decision.”

However, she thanked Sandy Towell, from Boots’n Bulldust, for all her help.

Mrs Towell told southburnett.com.au today Boots’n Bulldust would still be supporting the event, but just wouldn’t be organising it.

And they would still have a Championship Ute Muster at the event.

She said “Boots” had withdrawn from the organisational role so that criticism the group had been receiving did not “get in the way” of South Burnett Shines being a success.

“We have been copping flak because what we do is not all that visible. There have been some pretty nasty allegations made,” Ms Towell said.

She said she had talked it over with the Boots’n Bulldust team and they had decided to withdraw from organising it.

Mrs Towell said Ms Kenny was a “human dynamo”.

“She may not have much experience at running a festival but she’s certainly giving it a bloody good shake-up,” she said.

She said South Burnett Shines was an opportunity for the community to come together to do something positive to promote the local area.

South Burnett Shines has been raising sponsorship from Nanango businesses to bring stunt rider David Russell and country singer Tania Kernaghan to Nanango on August 24.

UPDATE: Cath Kenny has emphasised these attractions will only go ahead if sufficient support comes from the community.

UPDATE July 25:  Rebel Stunts Australia posted on Facebook this afternoon that it is “no longer associated with this event and have had to cancel the motorcycle jump by David Russell due to lack of sponsorship. We apologise for the inconvenience it may cause”.

UPDATE July 26: Boots’n Bulldust have agreed to step back in and help with the organisation. The event’s Facebook page stresses the day is definitely going ahead. So far there are “about 50 stalls, live entertainment, a championship ute muster, games, rides and some other bits and bobs” organised.  It’s on August 24, from 10:00am-4:00pm, in Pioneer Park, Nanango