Despite the cancellation of a number community events this year due to COVID-19, MidCoast Council has given an assurance it will continue to support local events.
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At last week's July monthly ordinary meeting councillors voted unanimously to allocate event sponsorship for events due to be held between August 2020 and January 2021.
Regional events cancelled this year due to the pandemic include Run Fest Forster Tuncurry, Stroud Rodeo, Old Bar Beach Festival, Gloucester Mountain Man Tri and Killabakh Day in the Country.
"Council's resolution to provide sponsorship is an important one for event organisers," Midcoast Council growth, economic development and tourism manager, Deb Tuckerman said.
"Any of these event organisers who make the tough decision to cancel their event due to COVID-19 will know council will carry over sponsorship funds to the same event if held within 12 months," Ms Tuckerman said.
"We hope this will provide some peace of mind and reassure organisers of council's support."
Council's resolution to provide sponsorship is an important one for event organisers.
- Deb Tuckerman
Close to $100,000 was set-aside for 29 events over three different categories during the last round of sponsorship allocations.
"Events, regardless of their size, all contribute to the vibrancy of our area and bring important economic, social and cultural outcomes," Ms Tuckerman said.
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"It's important council does what it can to support events in our region particularly when we move more into the recovery phase post pandemic."
Councillors also voted unanimously to donate $9900 to the Taree and District Eisteddfod Society, another prominent and important local event that could not go ahead this year.
Applications for the sponsorship for events to be held from February 1-July 31, 2021 will open on August 1.
To learn more about event sponsorship head to the grants and funding page on the MidCoast Council website.
Council resolved to review event sponsorship starting in September with the intent being to advertise and adopt a new policy so that it will become operational for events scheduled from August 1, 2021.
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