For days Maitreya Festival ticket-holders have been begging organisers for an answer on the fate of the beloved bush doof, but it appears that it’s of little solace to the punters who are now left out of pocket.
As Tone Deaf reported earlier today, rumours Maitreya Festival had been cancelled following weeks of controversy had been circulating this morning, with organisers later confirming the event was indeed not going ahead.
In a statement, organisers apologised for the outcome, writing, “Due to circumstances beyond our control it is with a heavy heart that I now come to inform you that the Festival will not proceed as planned.”
“We’ve tried every possible avenue of keeping our beautiful festival afloat, but unfortunately as of early this morning that is no longer possible. We will provide you a full update as soon as we can.”
However, that statement was later deleted without explanation. Another statement soon appeared on the festival’s official Facebook page, blaming bad weather for the cancellation of what had become a totally unsanctioned event.
“To the dear people of our tribe, we are having to call off the event due to the weather that has occurred up onsite the past 24 hours,” they wrote. “There is no safe way into and out of the site. We urge you not to come as it is not safe onsite.”
To the dear people of our tribe, we are having to call off the event due to the weather that has occurred up onsite the…
Posted by Yourtreya Festival onWednesday, March 9, 2016
Many ticket-holders remain skeptical about the alleged motivations behind the cancellation, especially considering the controversy that’s surrounded the event since it was denied a permit by the local council last month.
In addition to being labelled illegal by Victoria Police, the Country Fire Authority, and St John’s Ambulance, the festival was recently issued with a Stop Order by the Office of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria.
However, what has punters even more concerned is the absence of any mention of forthcoming refunds. Ticket-holders have subsequently swarmed the festival’s Facebook page asking when refund details will be announced.
“Refunds Betreya! World’s most useless excuse of an organisation. Give us our money back. You drove this ship under all by yourselves, own your fucking problems and give us our money back!” wrote one angry commenter.
Image via Facebook
Other commenters likewise had choice words for the festival’s organisers, writing, “Don’t you c***s dare use the weather as an excuse not to give refunds back. You fucked up nicely. Give our money back.”
However, some fans are claiming to have already received refunds. “Just got refunded, deposited into my bank acct 20 mins ago did anyone else??? Happy they did the right thing,” wrote commenter Jayden Kernaghan.
“I just spoke to try bookings, and they said we will be getting refunded, they are working with Maitreya to do so,” replied Jacinta Jobe. Organisers have still not released an official word on how refunds will be processed.
“Should the event not proceed, punters are entitled to a refund,” Darren Sanicki of GI & Sanicki Lawyers told Tone Deaf. “The odds of whether they get it or not, I don’t know. I’m unsure as to the organisers’ situation in regards to where the money is.”
