A citizenship ceremony in Bega on Australian Day 2019. Council has been granted $18,000 for the 2023 Australia Day celebrations. Photo: Ian Campbell.
In an attempt to help the Bega Valley recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, 15 organisations from across the shire, and their council, will share in $362,000 of NSW Government funding to host local events.
Along with the 15 successful local organisations in the Reconnecting Regional NSW Community Events Program, the Bega Valley Shire Council has also been granted funding for four projects.
The always popular Eden Whale Festival took out the largest sum, with $60,000 going towards the festival, which will next be held over 7-9 October.
The Eden Community Access Centre received $40,000 for its Community Arts and Music Program, Lifeline South Coast was given $33,000 for its South Coast Community Connections Roadshow, while $9000 went towards the South Coast Ale Trail’s Craft Beer Festival.
Other community recipients include the Pambula Wetlands and Heritage Project ($5000) to help it celebrate Panboola’s 20th birthday on 9 October and a Glebe Wetlands Bioblitz ($8500) to be held from 18 November.
Council’s four successful projects include $30,000 for its Wilderness to Water Tours, which will showcase the natural beauty and environmental significance of council’s reserves.
A further $45,000 will go towards the launch of the new-look Bega Valley Regional Gallery and $18,000 to the 2023 Australia Day community celebration.
Bega Valley Shire Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick said the funding would provide a much-needed boost to community organisations in their recovery from a difficult time.
“The strength of the program is the social and economic recovery of our region by renewing social connections and providing a revenue boost to local organisations and businesses,” he said.
Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the program aimed to support the state’s events and hospitality sectors and provide economic recovery while allowing communities to reconnect.
“The past two years have been difficult and people have been disconnected from family and friends, but now they’re getting out and about again,” he said.
“We want to see communities thriving and businesses benefitting from more local activities, events and opportunities in the regions.”
The full list of the shire’s projects funded under the program are on council’s website.
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