$362,000 in New South Wales Government funding has been awarded to 15 regional organisations as part of the Reconnecting Regional NSW Community Events Program, including Bega Valley Shire Council which secured funding for four projects.
The program is designed to encourage social and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bega Valley Shire Council’s funded projects will aim to showcase the natural beauty and environmental significance of Council’s reserves.
The successful Council projects are:
- Citizenship Ceremony to celebrate Australian Citizenship Day – held on 16 September 2022, the shire welcomed 18 new citizens at a special event in the Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre
- Wilderness to Water Tours
- Launch of the new look Bega Valley Regional Gallery
- Australia Day 2023 community celebration, to be held on 26 January
Bega Valley Shire Council Mayor, Russell Fitzpatrick, said the funding will provide a much-needed boost to community organisations as they recover from a difficult time.
“Through this funding, the New South Wales Government aims to support community and business recovery through events that rebuild or enhance community cohesion and support local businesses,” Mayor Fitzpatrick said.
“It’s great to see projects such as Panboola’s 20th birthday celebration, the South Coast Ale Trail-Craft Beer Festival, Eden Community Access Centre’s Community Arts and Music Program, and many more being recognised and funded to enable their exciting events to continue or progress.
“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.
Mayor Fitzpatrick has thanked everyone who invested their time and energy into applying for this funding on behalf of their communities.
“Through this program, Council is also committed to working with the community to continue our recovery journey.”
New South Wales Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional New South Wales, Paul Toole, said the Community Events Program will 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,” Mr Toole said.
“We want to see communities thriving and businesses benefitting from more local activities, events and opportunities in the regions.
“The New South Wales Government is backing events that bring local communities together and this funding will help to reinvigorate these communities and contribute to a sense of improved wellbeing and connectedness.”
The full list of projects funded under the New South Wales Government’s Reconnecting Regional NSW Community Events Program are listed on Council’s website.
