Mildura Country Music Festival to receive $50,000 boost from Council
Published on 17 January 2017
ONE of Sunraysia’s longest running and most iconic music events, the Mildura Country Music Festival, has received a $50,000 boost through Mildura Rural City Council’s Events Funding and Support Grant program.
The event was among 13 to share in more than $155,000 in Council grants, which were presented today.
Mildura Rural City Councillor for Economic Development and Tourism Mark Eckel said the Mildura Country Music Festival had attracted about 10,000 visitors annually and injected about $7million into the local economy each year.
“The Mildura Country Music Festival has been one of the district’s most important annual events from a tourism and events perspective,” Cr Eckel said.
“Due to its ongoing success we know that each year we can rely on it bringing people from across the country, as well as international independent artists, to our district, providing a significant boost to our economy.”
Mildura Country Music Festival co-ordinator John Arnold said the $50,000 grant from Council was pivotal to the event going ahead this year.
“Council’s support means the difference between this event going ahead or not this year,” Mr Arnold said.
“Each year the event is run we come out with a small loss as it’s getting more and more difficult to secure business sponsors in the region.
“That’s why Council’s support of our event through the grants programs is just so important.”
The funding was approved by Councillors at their December meeting last year and will ensure some of the district’s longest running and most popular events continue be successes in the region.
Events to receive funding under the August 2016 round of funding including the Hattah Desert Race ($37,500), Willowfest Australian Cricket Club Championships ($20,000) and Goanna Run 2017 ($10,200).
Other events to receive funding in this round included the Mildura Show, Mildura Murray Masters Swimming Carnival, Mildura All Abilities Cricket Carnival, Farmers Enduro, Patchewollock Music Festival, 2017 Dash for Dementia, 2017 Dot Jenkinson Ladies Pairs, Merbein Community Rodeo and Community Concert on the Course.
In total, $155,491 in Council grants were provided to 13 events.
Cr Eckel said these and the many other successful events run in the district throughout the year served a vital role.
“Many of these events have a long and successful history, including the Hattah Desert Race and Willowfest Australian Cricket Club Championships, and it’s vital Council supports these events to ensure they continue to be a success,” Cr Eckel said.
He said other long-running events, such as the Dot Jenkinson Ladies Pairs had become more much than just sporting events – they were now institutions, and it was important Council played a role in ensuring these historic and popular events had a secure future.
“Council certainly recognises the important role events play in this district, and not just from an economic perspective – many of these events hold a very special place in our district, and for the hundreds of people who have completed in, or attended them over the years,” he said.
Media enquiries
Ben Piscioneri
p) (03) 5018 8689
e) ben.piscioneri@mildura.vic.gov.au