Over the Easter long weekend, Gravity Media headed to Stawell, a small town in country Victoria to deliver a production and facility turn-key the broadcast of the 2021 Powercor Stawell Gift, an icon of Australian Sport.
The Powercor Stawell Gift began in 1878 at the end of the gold rush, starting out as the “Easter Gift” conducted by the Stawell Athletic Club in a program of seven races, with most run in multiple heats. Since then, it has been raced every year, except for four years during the Second World War and during the 2020 COVID-19 global pandemic. It is the most prestigious footrace in Australia.
Run on grass, athletes are handicapped depending on form and ability and start off varying marks accordingly. Runners race for glory and prize money with many more dollars working their way through the bookies ring. The Bookmakers have played an integral part of the rich and colorful history, the attraction of the punt adding to the magic and intrigue.
The main race is the Powercor Stawell Gift which is run over 120m up a slight gradient, and the final is traditionally held on Easter Monday.
In 2021 welcomed the addition of the AIA Invitational Handicap 3200m event to the Easter Monday broadcast calendar. This is an incredible race featuring Australia’s best middle-distance runners, spearheaded by Olympic hopeful Stewart McSweyn who broke the Australian records in the 1500m, 3000m and 10,000m last year.
The main broadcast aired live nationally on the Seven Network from 11:30 –14:30 (AEST) on Easter Monday, 5th April.
Along with the regular broadcast, for the 2021 event Gravity Media also broadcasted a live stream of racing on Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday. This streamed live to the Stawell Gift Facebook and YouTube Channels.
Gravity Media used our HD10 truck – purpose built, ergonomically designed, single expanding semi-trailer. It supports 24 HD cameras, with up to seven vision operators, eight Replay operators and an OB supervisor.
Our Australia-based outside broadcast trucks work on major sporting events, concerts, current affairs programs, entertainment shows, studio productions and reality TV shows. Each truck has been designed with Australian broadcasting requirements in mind, setting new standards for ergonomics, comfort, and processing power. Find out more about the outside broadcast trucks we have to offer here.
For more information on how Gravity Media can help you with your next production or broadcast, please email enquiries@gravitymedia.com.
