He will continue to live in Narooma and while he has eight years remaining on his licence to operate a festival at Smyth Oval, he has no plans for another event in town.

Friends of the Blues disappointed

Friends of the Blues committee president Ben Bate said he shared the town's disappointment at the loss of the festival and thanked all those who had supported the committee over the last three years.

Mr Bate and current chamber president Nigel Jackson became involved in the chamber and the blues committee in the panic that followed Mr Mumme's end-of-festival speech three years ago when he first mentioned the possibility of a move to Batemans Bay.

Mr Bate said he respected Mr Mumme and his partners’ decision and said all businesses had to make hard decisions from time to time.

"For 14 years Narooma has had the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful event that has gone from strength to strength," Mr Bate said.

"From a one-day event at the leisure centre to the international event we have seen in the last few years with the musicians coming from all over the world - what a great ride it's been."

Mr Mumme said Narooma had to capitalise on what it had with its natural beauty and said he would not rule out planning another "niche" gig in the town as his business was event management and this is where he lived.

Chamber president Nigel Jackson said reaction had been mixed with some businesses and music groups more disappointed than others.

“What we need to do now is look at ways to turn this disappointment - it has

been suggested that the event brings millions of dollars into Narooma - into

a positive,” Mr Jackson said.

“The October long weekend should be busy for us anyway and there is an opportunity to bring people to the District at that time of year who will spend more of their money outside of the Blues Festival compound.”

Mr Jackson said the Narooma chamber would now look at options including making the Oyster Festival bigger and better.

The history of the Blues

The first ever Narooma Blues Festival was held at the sports and leisure centre back in 1996.

Manning the beer tent was surf lifesaving club volunteer Bruce Frost and his fellow clubbies.

Mr Frost recalls his favourite act was Marco Goldsmith’s Blue Heart as well as the musicians from the United States.

He continued working on the festival gates after it moved to NATA Oval the following year and then eventually to Smyth Oval.

“I was the smiling face that greeted everyone as they arrived,” Mr Frost said.

“I am sad to see it leave but I understand why it had to move and it has outgrown the town.”

Other milestones were the naming of a stage after Mr Mumme’s friend and mentor Peter Phelps who passed away in 2003.

Mr Mumme said he would like to retain the name when the festival moved to Batemans Bay but there was a lot to work out.

Comments from the street:

Are you sad to see the Blues Festival leaving Narooma?

Extremely…I am sad personally but I understand it’s a business decision, a decision I would not like to be making. I have gone to 11 out of the 14 and was the secretary/manager of the leisure centre when the first one happened. Now I just need to try and get a day off so I can go up to the Bay.

- Mick Turner

Yes definitely sad…It’s a sad day when it was move away from its roots.

- Rob Merigan

Of course, it has become part of the town’s identity. I have performed myself with six or seven different bands at the festival over the years.

- Pat Finnerty

It’s very sad for the businesses and the locals that loved to go. I probably won’t go for a three-day ticket anymore. Narooma was great as they could come and park at the caravan park and be within walking distance of everything. I wonder how it’s going to work at the Bay as it is so spread out.

- Maureen Sweeney

It’s been very inconvenient. We spent all day yesterday calling people and refunding deposits. I am not impressed and Mr Mumme has a lot to answer for. It’s a real downer for the town.

- June Sheard

Editorial: Bye bye Blues

WE can’t say it was totally unexpected, but it did come a little out of the blue.

Especially considering Neil Mumme told us just back in June when he first announced two new festivals for Batemans Bay that the original Blues Festival was here to stay in Narooma.

His direct quote was: "Do you think after being granted a licence by Eurobodalla Shire Council last year to hold the Blues Festival in Narooma for 10 years I would go through the grief of moving the Blues Festival?”

"You've gotta be kiddin!" an emphatic Mr Mumme said.

Well, things have changed and pretty much everyone is understanding of the business decision to move.

Probably the biggest losers will be the accommodation houses that every year could count on selling out over the October long weekend.

There is more accommodation in Batemans Bay and it just that little bit closer to Sydney and Canberra.

Neil and his partner Chuggie hope to attract even bigger Blues acts from the States and to grow the festival to even bigger heights.

Apart from the economic impact, we will miss the Blues Festival here at the Narooma News and we all have our own Blues moments and memories.

Mine is being told by Renee Geyer that I must be a useless journalist if I am stuck here in Narooma otherwise I would be at the Sydney Morning Herald, gesturing she would slit my throat if I took photos of her own stage.

I don’t know, but unlike the Blues Festival, I am happy to stay here in Narooma, but don’t take my word on it…