After two years of COVID-19-imposed cancelations, Merbein is ready for the 2022 Great Vanilla Slice Triumph to return this Saturday, August 13.

Mildura Rural City Council Councillor for Recreation and Events Mark Eckel told Inside Local Government the long-running, popular event was one of the few remaining culinary-based community events in the region, and a point of difference.

“I remember going back to the days when the event started in Ouyen in the late 1990s/early 2000s, when the township would be a hive of activity as visitors, and some of Australia’s top bakers, converged on the town from across the country,” he said.

“It is an event that is very much sought after by other areas, which is why I’m glad it remains where it belongs – in the municipality where it all started.

“I remember when it was announced in 2011 that it would no longer be held in Ouyen, and I held the Events portfolio back then as well, I was besieged with calls from the media in regards to other municipalities interested in taking on the event—and my response was very much the same then as it would be now—hands off, this is our event.”

The event plays an important role for the local baking industry, providing a chance for businesses to put their best products forward while serving as an economic driver for the broader tourism sector, with guests travelling from all over the country.

Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph organising committee member, Janeen Norris described the response to this year’s event as “phenomenal”.

“It’s been amazing, we’re getting entries from everywhere, including people flying in on the Saturday morning of the event with their entries,” Mrs Norris said.

“Bakers have been waiting for the event to return. We’ve had calls from people saying ‘don’t break my heart and tell me it’s not happening this year, tell me it’s going ahead’.

“As a result, we’re seeing them come back in numbers very close to what they were previously,” she said.