VICBEAR COMMITTEE UPDATE

It is with great regret that the VicBears Committee has made the decision to cancel the Southern HiBearnation event in its current form for 2020.

This decision was not made lightly. However, due to the ongoing restrictions in place in Victoria relating to COVID-19, we cannot predict when the conditions will be right to run an event of this scale.

Southern HiBearnation attracts people from all over Australia, and globally, for a week of events hosted by VicBears, along with the Mr Australasia Bear event. Unfortunately this event becomes difficult when air travel is restricted and no set date has been given for when venues will be permitted to open again.

Though we are cancelling Southern HiBearnation in it’s current form for 2020, rest assured that, providing there are no external restrictions in place, we will be ready to make Southern HiBearnation 2021 an event to remember. We will also be working closely with our sponsors and our venues to see what we can do about putting on alternative events once restrictions begin to lift.

A few people have asked, as Mr Australasia Bear invites the states Bear representatives across Australia to participate, what will happen to this years representatives not being given the opportunity to participate. The VicBears committee has made the decision to carry over Joshua Gosse, Mr VicBear 2020 through to 2021. Most clubs across Australia have opted to do the same with their representative.

More information about Mr VicBear 2021 will be provided shortly, answering questions about the above decision. For information on the decision of our brethren clubs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to them directly.

Though we are sad to have made this decision, we think it is in the best interests of the club and our community. COVID-19 is a very real and present threat and we do not want to put any of our members or community in harms way. We are supportive of the restrictions in place by the Victorian State Government and will follow advice of them, and other medical professionals to ensure the safety of our members and our community.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the VicBears Secretary on secretary@vicbears.org.au.

Kind Regards,
Adrian Zadow
VicBears Club Secretary

on behalf of the VicBears Committee.