Birdsville has just joined the exclusive group of popular events permanently ruined or destroyed by being "Taken up market" if I read Morno correctly.
The process is always the same:
1) A community group decides to hold an event to raise funds for charity. Over time the good management, obvious value for money and unique experience attract a large following of ordinary people. The charity makes $$$. Everyone is happy.
2) A greedy bastard steps in and decides that they will take a share of the charity money.
3) greedy bastard convinces authorities that there are customers who can and will pay much, much more than current fees in exchange for "a superior experience". that is code for what was called "the carriage trade" - rich folk to monopolize the event. Modern marketing cant for this process is "taking the event up market". The charity will get no more money, greedy bastard and authority will pocket the premium.
4) The event is dressed up (green sustainable exclusive, etc.) and prices are quadrupled or more. Corporate boxes and luxury packages are sold. The volunteers who built the event are excluded and replaced with paid subcontractors.
5) Everyone makes money until the corporate customers disappear, as always happens in an economic downturn.The average punter has long been priced out of the market in favor of corporate customers.
6) The event collapses under the weight of the fixed cost base it inflicted on itself. Volunteers work for free. Subcontractors don't. The general public were priced out of attending and have made other entertainment arrangements,
7) Some years later, a group of volunteers get an idea about how to raise money for charity. They resurrect the original idea.
Vale: Sail Geelong race week. Portsea Polo and numerous other events.