Council awards Event Grants to 18 groups
Published on 01 November 2023
Council is pleased to announce that 18 groups will share in $38,000 in grants to activate events across the shire.
The Event Grants program supports organisations and individuals who are running public and community-oriented events.
Events funded this round include a broad range of interests such as film, music, art, sport, writing, and sustainability.
This round of funding supports projects such as the Metcalfe Music Bash – a fantastic day of live music; Arts Open – Meet the Makers, an open studios event designed to showcase local artists, galleries and exhibitions in the region, and the MAIN Game – a fun football event that raises funds for Castlemaine’s local radio station, MAINfm.
Other highlights include a myriad of much-loved festivals: Taradale Mineral Springs Festival, Newstead Live Festival, Castlemaine Documentary Festival, Castlemaine Idyll, and Autopia: Women and Wheels.
Event Grants recipient, Steph Riddel, Station Manager at MAINfm, said she was grateful for the backing from Council through the program.
'We are so appreciative of the support from Mount Alexander Shire Council for our annual MAIN Game,” said Steph.
“It's helped us pay for core event costs and we wouldn't be able to do it without them.”
“The MAIN Game has cemented itself on the shire events calendar as a community event the whole family can enjoy and we look forward to building on its success as a major fundraising initiative for the station in the years to come,” she said.
Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Mayor, Rosie Annear, is looking forward to seeing what events take place over the coming months.
“Mount Alexander Shire has such a diverse, creative and vibrant community, and there’s nothing like a community event to really bring everyone together,” said Mayor Annear.
“It’s great to see such a range of events being funded through the program, catering to so many interests: music, art, cars, footy and film – there’s something here for everyone.”
“Our grant programs are an important way that Council supports both the community and the events industry, helping local businesses thrive and bringing people together from near and far for fun, knowledge and connection.”
“Congratulations to all the recipients of this round of funding, I’m excited to see these events come to life in 2024!”
Read the full list of funded events on our Grants page at mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Grants.
The next round of Event Grants opens in February 2024, for events held in the second half of 2024.
For more information, contact the Venues and Events team on 5471 1700 or email events@mountalexander.vic.gov.au.