Eurobodalla receives funding for more community events in 2023

A grant of almost $300,000 has been received from the NSW Government to go towards funding community events in the Eurobodalla.

The funding, which is part of the Reconnecting Regional NSW Community Events Program, has been given to the Eurobodalla Shire Council to support six community event programs to be held from October 2022 to March 2023.

Eurobodalla Shire Council grants and advocacy coordinator Adam Callahan said after a rough couple of years, especially with COVID-19, council was excited to be able to reconnect with its community by putting on free, family-friendly events.

“We’ve got a program of creative arts events, children and family events, we’ve got an all abilities NDIS expo and so much more lined up,” Adam said.

“There will also be another big batch of eight individual events held at the Bay Pavilions, which will create an opportunity for people to really see that facility, which is only a few months old, in action. It’ll be the first summer that it’s up and running.

“It’s going to be really cool to have some free events for the community, and not only just visitors because it does get quite busy down here over that summer period, but especially for the local community who haven’t had a chance to visit the Bay Pavilions just yet.”

The council’s grants and advocacy coordinator said the program of events would facilitate economic recovery by supporting local businesses, hospitality, and accommodation sectors in the Eurobodalla.

“Although the events are targeting local community who reside in the shire, between now and March, heading into our peak season, there’s going to be quite a lot of visitors to the region through those eight months that will get to experience some of these events as well,” Adam said.

“It’s really nice to get people back into those key centres in places like Batemans Bay, Mogo, Moruya and Narooma.”

Adam said council was really excited to collaborate with members of community groups.

“We’ve got a really good mix of events taking place and there will be something for everyone, from the Adventure Race for those who are keen to get outdoors, through to the First Nations experiences with the connection to Country,” he said.

Community was a focus, Adam said.

“There’ll be a handful of events varying from a summer pool party, through to a couple of movie nights and some artistic and creative types of events as well, held in the Bay Pavilions,” he said.

“It’s not just council putting on these events, we’ve really made the effort to seek input from event coordinators and community groups that are keen to team up with us, to make all of these upcoming events a success.”

With a jam-packed line up of events kicking off from Friday 15 October, there’s so much to see in the Eurobodalla.

Two of the South Coast’s most popular events, the River of Art Festival and the Narooma Oyster Festival will also each receive $20,000 of funding each year, for the next three years.

Eurobodalla Shire Council Mayor Mathew Hatcher announced the funding at the River of Art Festival launch last month.

“These events create a sense of local pride through highlighting the unique produce, arts and culture of Eurobodalla to the thousands of visitors who attend,” Mr Hatcher said.

“The three-year funding agreement gives these events long-term surety of council support.”

Eurobodalla Shire Council tourism events coordinator Oliver Batten said the festivals were significant large-scale events that offered distinctive experiences and attracted many tourists each year.

“Council’s funding offers organisers a solid base and a show of confidence from which to continue their quests for funding and sponsorship to run these growing events,” Mr Batten said.

“It’s fantastic to see our hallmark events flourishing this year with Narooma Oyster Festival smashing record numbers and River of Art recently delivering the spectacular Luminous: Art After Dark event.”

To find out more about the upcoming community events, visit What’s on Eurobodalla.