The meeting was held to discuss whether the events planned to take place as part of the Easter Festival would go ahead in light of the impending flood.

It was decided that, at this point in time, everything will still take place, with the exception of the Black Opal Rodeo.

Easter festival publicity officer, Sandy Thorne, said that although everyone knows the floodwater is on its way, none of us can tell how much there will be and how long it will hang around.

With this in mind, the committees behind the Easter Festival have decided to forge ahead with their preparations, adopting a “business-as-usual” attitude until it is clear what the effects of the flood will be.

In the event of Lightning Ridge becoming isolated by floodwater around the time of the Easter Festival, the committees are determined to provide some sort of entertainment to those who are able to attend.

As so much effort had been put into the preparations for this year’s race meeting, the Lightning Ridge Race Club is anxious for it not to go to waste. President of the Club, Brian Gibbons said that even if the roads are cut and horses can’t get to the Ridge, the Race Club facilities will still be there so locals to enjoy a day out – lunch and drinks with friends and a bet on other race meetings. Spokesman for the goat races, Paul Weeks and manager of the street entertainment, Viki Murray, have both agreed with Mr Gibbons and are determined that events will still be put on to entertain Ridge locals, even if visitors are unable to attend. Unfortunately, the Black Opal Rodeo, which was called off when the Brewarrina Rodeo dropped out of their tightly run circuit due to flooding, cannot provide any alternative entertainment because the conditions of their licence require a horse event to take place in conjunction with the provision of bar facilities.