The Stawell Gift the prestigious 120m handicap – Australia’s oldest and richest short distance running event – offers male athletes a $60,000 prize purse, and a $40,000 lump sum for the winner. Before 2015, the women’s event attracted a pool of $6000, but this year marks parity.
Minister for Sport, Tourism and Major Events, John Eren, congratulated Australia Post for bankrolling the prize-money boost, which sees the women’s pool increase tenfold. It comes after the Andrews Labor Government moved to ensure no less than 50 per cent of all future appointments to paid Government boards and Victorian courts will be women.
“Nothing says Regional Victoria quite like the Stawell Gift. Some of the best athletes our country and the world has ever seen have raced here before a crowd of thousands.” Mr. Eren commented “Today’s not just about a race; but about gender equality, too. Outcomes for women start with attitudes, and the Stawell Gift is leading the charge.”
Mr. Eren explained that the Stawell Gift is a key date on Regional Victoria’s tourism calendar, giving Western Victoria an opportunity to showcase its strengths into living rooms across the country. More than 300,000 viewers around the nation will tune in to watch emerging sprint star Jack Hale and Australian 100m record holder, Melissa Breen race. Locally, the meet nets the town and state $5.7 million.