Indigo Shire Council has awarded more than $40,000 to community event and tourism event organisers through its annual Tourism Events and Community Events grant programs.
Eight recipients will share in a total of $30,000 through Council's 2022-2023 Tourism Event Grant Program, which provides financial assistance to local event organisers to support the development of events that will increase visitation to the Shire.
The funding will support a number of events across the Shire including Rutherglen's Australian National Busking Competition, the 2023 Drag'd Out Festival in Beechworth, the upcoming "Let me be myself" Anne Frank exhibition, and the Chiltern Four Seasons Community Market.
An additional $15,000 in funding has been awarded to 16 recipients through the Community Events Grant program, which supports events that encourage local participation, celebrates the communities of Indigo and focuses on social inclusion and community wellbeing.
Community events in Barnawartha, Beechworth, Chiltern, Kergunyah, Kiewa-Tangambalanga, Rutherglen, Wooragee and Yackandandah are all set for a funding boost, with grants ranging from $450 to $1500.
Cathy Eames, from the Barnawartha Soldiers Memorial Hall Committee, the recipient of $1,000 in funding for the hall's Centenary Ball, says, "The committee is extremely grateful for the contribution to our Centenary Ball, on 8 October 2022, as it reduces the personal expense and time in the process. Our members are committed and feel a sense of duty to have the building preserved as a historical asset for the community and financial support from our Council is the 'icing on the cake' for our special event."
A small number of unsuccessful applications for both grant streams will be provided with alternative funding suggestions, where relevant, and support from Council's Community Development Team.
| Tourism Event Grant Program | |
|---|---|
| Applicant | Funding Allocated |
| Scout Studio - Let me be myself - Anne Frank Exhibition | $2,300 |
| Empire Hotel & Nicholas Hotel - Drag'd Out 2023 | $6,000 |
| Hotel Nicholas - Beechworth Celtic Festival | $4,000 |
| Winterwords Autonomous Collective - Winterwords 2023 | $2,300 |
| Destination Rutherglen - Australian National Busking Competition | $5,000 |
| BMF Productions - Sprint Ditch 2023 | $6,000 |
| Old Stone Hall - Art Walks | $3,200 |
| Chiltern Tourism Development Inc - Chiltern Four Seasons Community Market | $1,200 |
| Total | $30,000 |
| Community Events Grant Program | |
|---|---|
| Applicant | Funding Allocated |
| Barnawartha Soldiers Memorial Hall Inc - Centenary Ball | $1,000 |
| Beechworth Community Christmas Working Party - Community Christmas Lunch | $1,500 |
| Beechworth Food Co-op - Patch to Patch | $1,000 |
| Beechworth Football & Netball Club - Community Easter Fun Run | $1,500 |
| Beechworth Theatre Company - Performances of the Play Cosi | $1,000 |
| Black Dog Creek Fishing Club - Family Fun Fish Day | $600 |
| Chiltern Tourism and Development Inc - Christmas Street Party | $500 |
| Kergunyah Hall Committee of Management - Family Bush Dance | $1000 |
| Kergunyah Streamside Reserve Committee of Management - Lantern Making with Solar Tips | $800 |
| Kiewa Tangambalanga Community Carols - Christmas Carols | $1,500 |
| Kiewa Valley Community Garden - Community Gardening Weekend | $600 |
| Quercus Beechworth - Christmas Market | $800 |
| Rutherglen Historical Society - 150th Anniversary Community Celebration | $450 |
| Wooragee Landcare - Volunteer and Social Group Gathering | $500 |
| Yackandandah's Women's Shed - Community Christmas Fair | $750 |
| Yackandandah Lions Club - Community Comeback Event | $1,500 |
| Total | $15,000 |
