FOLLOWING a recent meeting, the Mirboo North Italian Festa Committee has announced that the festival will not take place in 2025. This decision comes in response to a series of challenges that have increasingly complicated the event’s organisation.

The decision is attributed to several factors: financial constraints, an overwhelming workload, complex risk management and compliance requirements, and a growing number of other festivals held around the same time, all requiring sponsorship and support from local businesses and community groups.

As the festival’s popularity has surged, the South Gippsland Council now recognises it as a major event, adding to the administrative burden on the small team of 10 volunteers, according to the organisers.

Rosie Romano, one of the organisers, expressed her regret, stating, “The Festa has grown significantly each year since its inception in 2016. We are proud of its status as a highly anticipated event that attracts visitors from across the state. However, the increase in attendees has led to a corresponding rise in the workload required to organise the festival.”

“The festival demands extensive risk management, traffic control, and emergency planning,” Romano further explained.

“Securing adequate funding for such a large-scale event is a significant challenge. Grant applications have become more complex, often spanning 30 pages with numerous attachments, reflecting the event’s increased scope. This requires meticulous organisation, management, and safety considerations.”

The Festa has always been a free public event that has provided substantial economic benefits to the local South Gippsland and broader Gippsland community.

Romano acknowledged the wonderful support from many local sponsors and various organisations, including the Mirboo North & District Community Bank and Foundation, South Gippsland Council, Destination Gippsland, as well as the Victorian Multicultural Commission. However, she also noted that financial pressures are affecting everyone, including sponsors. Additional funding and volunteer support are crucial to maintaining the event’s viability.

Given these challenges, the committee has determined that it is not feasible to hold the event in 2025 and hopes that it may resume in the coming years.