Panthers try to claw back Moo money

A Bunbury-based football club is hurting financially following recent news the Groovin The Moo festival has been canned for the second year in a row.

Otherwise known as “tent city” during the annual two-day event, Carey Park Football Club has provided accommodation for revellers at the annual Hay Park concert over the past nine years.

Panthers president Wayne Stewart said the money raised from the event was used for maintenance.

“Missing out on the festival for the second year in a row is going to have an impact on our club and the way we operate,” Mr Stewart said.

“The majority of the cash has been injected into maintenance around the place but that has obviously been put on hold for the last year-and-a-bit and will now be put on hold for another 12 months.

“The money raised varies every year but it’s usually around the $30,000 to $40,000 mark and we work hard for that money.”

In the bittersweet update for GTM, the team driving the event revealed a new concert — Fresh Produce — will make its debut in August to help fill the void.

Mr Stewart was optimistic the club would have a chance at recreating GTM’s “tent city” later in the year to make way for the new festival and bounce back from the second year of financial hardship.

But he was otherwise informed earlier in the week that the new festival would be rolling out in a limited-capacity format meaning there may not be a need for a camp site.

“I was told the new festival will be a two-day event capped at around 2500 people and apparently there will be no need for camping,” he said.

“It’s disappointing but we have learnt from COVID to plan around things like this and will just hope for the best when GTM rolls around next year.”

The Fresh Produce line-up will be released today. Meanwhile the crew behind GTM is confident that 2022 is going to mark a triumphant return and is asking showgoers to keep the faith and hold on to their tickets to be part of the return.