Vic: Opposition pledge for Stawell Gift

AAP General News (Australia)
04-01-2010
Vic: Opposition pledge for Stawell Gift

EDS: Embargoed until 0001 AEDT Thursday, April 1

MELBOURNE, April 1 AAP - Australia's most famous foot race would be secured under a
Victorian coalition pledge to save the Stawell Gift.

The state coalition on Thursday will unveil a promise to double funding for the historic
Easter Monday race if it wins government.

The Stawell Gift was in danger of being moved from its home of 130 years amid a funding crisis.

The Victorian government has since committed $310,000 over three years to keep the
event in Stawell.

But the opposition says it will up that to $600,000 over four years if elected in the
November poll.

"Under a coalition government, Australia's most famous foot race will remain in Stawell,"

Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu said.

"The race has a long and proud history of discovering home-grown talent and has given
many young athletes their start."

Mr Baillieu said the money would fund the running and marketing of the Gift and help
it grow and attract new competitors.

The Stawell Gift is a foot racing meeting with 66 events over three competition days.

On Easter Monday, the final has a winner's cheque of $40,000.

In all, more than $100,000 of prize money is up for grabs over the weekend, with much
more working its way through the bookies ring.

Stawell, 235km northwest of Melbourne, is the closest big town to the Grampians National Park.

AAP cmb/pmu/ht/cdh

KEYWORD: GIFT (EMBARGOED)

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