Casey council is considering dumping its sponsorship of a charity golf day which is named after its mayor.
The council resolved to review its $4000 sponsorship of Narre Warren Rotary Club’s Mayoral Shield Golf Day after Casey officers recommended halving support for the 18 November event.
Officers described the sponsorship benefits to Casey as “limited” and that the golf day’s $12,600 “surplus” in 2015 made its sponsorship redundant.
“This (halved) funding recognises council’s historical arrangement… and ensures ongoing provision of the planned golf day event,” the report stated.
At an 18 October council meeting, councillor Wayne Smith moved for retaining a one-off full sponsorship of next month’s golf day.
He argued it was unwise to announce a review and pre-emptively halve the golf day’s funding.
“I’d hate to think the club would pick up the paper or read the council agenda, and see we’re halving it.”
The officers’ report said the event had limited community appeal.
“The Rotary Golf Day meets few of the objectives of the (council’s) event sponsorship program,” the report stated.
“Council’s opportunity to promote its services and key messages are limited at this event.”
It attracted a “relatively low” 100 participants and not many visitors to Casey, the officers’ report stated.
The golf day was smaller than other council-sponsored events such as the Berwick Show and the Tricodes Night at Cranbourne Racecourse, according to the report.
Casey had sponsored the annual Rotary fund-raiser for several years.
The 18-round golf day funds mainly local Rotary projects as well as some international initiatives.
The Rotary Club of Narre Warren was unable to comment prior to deadline.
