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With great regret, we must inform you that the National
Capital Authority in Canberra has recently declined the opportunity
to stage HoverWorld Expo 2004.
Despite the wholehearted best efforts of the World Hovercraft Organization,
the Australian Hovercraft Federation, and the entire HoverWorld Expo organizing
team, the National Capital Authority in Canberra has "withdrawn its
support for the HoverWorld Expo 2004 event on Lake Burley Griffin." In
addition, Australian Capital Tourism has informed us that the tourism benefits
of HoverWorld Expo 2004 would not be significant enough for it to receive support
through their Events Assistance Program.
After four years of planning - and a massive investment of man-hours and funds
- we certainly share in your disappointment. As Australian citizens, we are
sincerely aggrieved at the loss of this opportunity for Canberra and all Australians
to celebrate the 40th anniversary of a genuine historic first: the World's
First Hovercraft Race, staged in Canberra in 1964.
Sadly, many nations will share this disappointment. Groups from throughout
the world have registered to attend HoverWorld Expo 2004, including Australian
Hovercraft Federation members from throughout Australia, as well as teams from
New Zealand, Malaysia, Sweden, Nigeria, Canada, the United States and the United
Kingdom.
Although Canberra officials were initially responsive to bringing HoverWorld
Expo to their city, and provided much assistance in the planning process, the
extensive regulatory process in Canberra ultimately proved to be insurmountable
and cost-prohibitive for the not-for-profit Australian Hovercraft Federation
and the World Hovercraft Organization.
As disheartening as it may be to all of us that the event has been canceled,
it is perhaps the best alternative, given that the enormous number of ever
increasing regulations with which we were expected to comply would, at best,
severely limit the scope of activities offered to participants and, at worst,
subject HoverWorld Expo 2004 to being closed at any time during the event.
For a brief overview of those regulations and the
course of events that led to the cancellation, please click here.
More than two months ago we appealed to the various governmental agencies in
Canberra to grant some minor concessions and assistance with the regulatory
and approval processes that would allow HoverWorld Expo to take place. Upon
no response from the twenty-five individuals contacted, and after several repeated
appeals, we received the National Capital Authority's kindly, but final, withdrawal
of approval in a letter dated September 1, 2004.
It is our deepest and most sincere regret if this decision has caused any hardship
or loss to you.
So that the cancellation of HoverWorld Expo 2004 does not leave you entirely
without an opportunity to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the World's First
Hovercraft Race, the Australian Hovercraft Federation is working to organize
a cruise on the Murray River downstream from Albury Wodonga, starting around
January 3, 2005. Details will be available to you soon on WorldHovercraft.org.
Please be assured that the World Hovercraft Organization will stage events
in the future, in locations that will allow for us to create events as enjoyable
as World Hovercraft Week 2002 in Terre Haute, Indiana. In addition, you can
anticipate a new venue of events surrounding DiscoverHover, our increasingly
successful international school hovercraft program.
Most Sincerely,
Chris Fitzgerald
Chairman, Hoverworld Expo 2004
Ken Osmond
President, Australian Hovercraft Federation
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