The long-term future of Oamaru's Victorian Heritage Celebrations could be in doubt beyond next year, there being a need for more volunteers and a question mark over funding.
Committee chairman Peter Amyes is warning of volunteer burnout unless organisers can get more volunteers at the celebrations' annual meeting on Monday night to help with events, fundraising and marketing of the four-day event in November.
The Victorian Heritage Celebrations are one of Oamaru's biggest attractions.
Mr Amyes said the Waitaki District Council had cut its funding for the event from $20,000 to $15,000 for last year and to $10,000 for this year and the next. This year's celebrations would go ahead and there was probably enough funding for next year, but the event was in jeopardy after that, he said.
''Does the community want to see heritage week cease?'' he asked.
The committee has seven members, all of whom are offering themselves for re-election.
''That may sound a lot, but when you consider they run all of the separate events during the celebrations then it can get tough,'' Mr Amyes said.
The committee needed additional expertise, particularly in fundraising and marketing. A secretary was also wanted.
''The event has become an iconic branding activity for the district, attracting a significant national and now a fledging international audience. During the 2012 celebrations, there was not a spare bed to be had in Oamaru.''
A common misconception was the heritage celebrations were funded in part from the Victorian Fete. The celebrations were a separate entity and received no funding from the fete.
Last year's celebrations were very successful because of an array of new events, tight fiscal controls and the commitment and energy of the committee.
Planning had started for the 2013 celebrations, the theme being Victorian explorers.
The celebrations committee's annual meeting is on Monday at 7pm in the Scottish Hall.
