Looks like I've gained a regular spot in Saturdays Morning Bulletin. Here's a column that was published couple of weeks back. Thought I might had someone from either the cycling club or multi-cultural association call me to discuss it. But to date nothing. Be interested to know if you think its a good idea.

The flags of the commissaire's raised one by one; the crowd hushed as the gun sounded, and with a strong heave the Rocky Cup on Wheels started, the back markers quickly gaining ground.  Patrons of the inaugural Fine Food and Wine Festival cheered on the riders from inside the track.  The decision to co-host the food and wine festival with the annual Rocky Cup on Wheels at the Kenrick Tucker Velodrome proved to be a success.  Much like how the major horse racing days attract crowds with limited knowledge of the sport.

The decision of the neighbouring Rock Pool Water Park to open an adjoining fence for the children of the festival patrons to enjoy their facilities also proved a good decision.

I was thinking of uses for the Music Bowl.  It seems a shame that a community event like Carols by Candlelight may no longer have a home.  If only the Music Bowl could be more regularly, viably utilised.  One thought was a Fine Food and Wine Festival.  However it takes time to establish a successful event.  If though the event was held in conjunction and complimented another event then the sum could be greater than its parts.

The Rocky Cup on Wheels is indisputably a major cycling event but to get support from the non-cycling community it needs an x factor (xtra crowd puller).  In the past Sean Eadie and Ryan Bayley were the x factor.  Anna Meares is also an x factor.  Cadel Evans would be the one for this year Rocky Cup on Wheels (non-cycling people wouldn’t care that he is not a track rider, they just want to see cycling’s man of the moment).  However appearance fees, availability and only being a short term fix makes it a fickle foundation to build an event on.

By complimenting it with another event that has potential to grow the overall support base, surely it has to be worth considering.  Maybe a representative from the local multi-cultural association could meet with the Rocky Cup on Wheels committee to see if there is potential.  Council could possibly help them access funding through the Queensland Event Corporation to kick start the inaugural collaboration. Sponsorship opportunities for wine/beverages/food would add to existing cycling sponsors.  Plus there have got to be opportunities for the neighbouring Rock Pool Water Park and maybe even Diggers Bowls Club as well as the YWCA hall to be utilised.  Like I said the sum could be greater than its parts.  It’s just a thought. And it would add something else to the city’s event calendar.

Now back to the Music Bowl, or should we consider what could be done with the money raised from its sale!