THE Wilmar Sugar Australian Hand Cane Cutting Championships, hosted by the Burdekin Tourism Association, in conjunction with the Gudjuda Reference Group, has been postponed following the effects of Tropical Cyclone Ita.
President of the Burdekin Tourism Association Treena List said it was very disappointing that the iconic event had to be postponed until next year.
“The Wilmar Sugar Australian Hand Cane Cutting Championships is an event that showcases the skill of hand cane cutting and is the only competition of its kind in Australia,” Ms List said.
“This is an iconic event for the Burdekin region - the sugar capital of Australia – and it is with great regret that we have to postpone the event until 2015,” she said.
“Due to Cyclone Ita, the cane block planted specifically for the event at the former Home Hill Showgrounds has been flattened making it unsuitable for the purpose of hand cane cutting. This is especially disappointing as the block was specially planted for the 2014 event in the new location.
“The Burdekin Tourism Association would like to thank everyone who has contributed in anyway towards the crop.
It is proposed that the current crop will be harvested and a new crop planted for the 2015 event.
The Wilmar Sugar Australian Hand Cane Cutting Championships was scheduled to take place on Saturday May 31, 2014 at the former Home Hill Showgrounds.
