Mayor Cameron McDonald is pleased to see The Pavilion Kiama is living up to its mission of serving the community while also fulfilling its commercial requirements.
A Kiama Municipal Council service review conducted in 2024 recommended that the venue should manage the balance between community expectations and profitability via commercial opportunities.
The Pavilion has since achieved that ratio of 75% commercial events to 25% community events, offering its facilities and iconic seaside location to many weddings and conferences as well as not-for-profit organisations at a discounted rate.
Community groups are able to hire The Pavilion at a 40% discount and several local not-for-profit organisations use the facilities for free as part of in-kind donations from Council.
"It's a tremendous community asset which is there to help a variety of our local not-for-profit groups," Mayor McDonald said.
"We don't get any funding from other levels of government for The Pavilion so we have focused on promoting it as a venue for weddings and corporate events.
"But we still need The Pavilion to be a place where community groups can be able to hold their events without breaking their budget.
"It is a constant balancing act of various needs but Council is committed to nurturing relationships with the local sporting, community and commercial organisations that rely on this facility as a hub for connection."
The Pavilion, the largest venue of its kind in the LGA, was chosen by the NSW Premier to host the State Government's Community Cabinet earlier this year.
It has played host to countless community events, citizenship ceremonies and Kiama Business Network seminars while it also attracts major events like the Red Hot Summer and Changing Tides festival. The Pavilion has hosted the likes of Hilltop Hoods, Ocean Alley, Tones and I, and The Temper Trap, and will soon welcome Boy & Bear, Kim Churchill, Boo Seeka and The Rubens.
The 181st Kiama Show will be held at The Pavilion, Kiama Showground and Chittick Oval in January with hiring fees waived as part of Council's commitment to supporting the historic event which kicked off way back in 1848.
When the Council by-election was held in August, several community groups were relocated to The Pavilion due to the Joyce Wheatley Centre being unavailable.
The Pavilion will host its annual Twilight Markets on 27 November and will continue its tradition of offering a free stall to a not-for-profit group. Organisations such as the Red Cross, Lions and Rotary clubs have benefited from this offer in the past with aged care and disability service provider Interchange Illawarra chosen for this year's free stall at the Markets.
Last week, The Pavilion hosted its inaugural Melbourne Cup Day event and organisers received plenty of positive feedback from attendees.
Special guest Mac the pony from Apple Tree Catering stole the show alongside some seriously stylish guests in their Fashion on the Field finest as attendees enjoyed all the glitz, glamour and excitement of Cup Day.
