Sponosorship boost for three local events

A further $11,000 has been distributed to community events within Baw Baw Shire through council’s community funding assistance program.

Council has granted sponsorship to three events including $3000 for a Women on Farms gathering in West Gippsland; $5000 to support the West Gippsland Performing Arts Competition; and $3000 for the Gardivalia Festival of Gardens.

Gardivalia Festival of Gardens will return this year following a year off in 2017.

A report to council said the event attracted garden enthusiasts from across the state as well as interstate. Figures from previous years suggest the event attracts between 4000 to 5000 visitors.

Gardivalia has previously been funded through council’s community development grants program, including funding in 2016 for the committee to update its website.

Cr Keith Cook said Gardivalia was a great event for showcasing the shire. He said it was a chance for “neighbours to look over the fence and have a sense of competition.”

Cr Jessica O’Donnell said Gardivalia almost fell over so to have it return for 2018 was fantastic. “Some of the gardens on display are absolutely spectacular.”

Council also approved a $5000 sponsorship request from the West Gippsland Music and Drama Eisteddfod to support the 25th West Gippsland Performing Arts Competition.

The competition attracts over 1000 section entries and 2000 performers over the 13-day event. The volunteer committee and other volunteers put in over 1600 volunteer hours to support the event.

Officers said the committee had been impacted by the delayed opening of the West Gippsland Arts Centre and finding suitable venues for performances.

The report said both the West Gippsland Music and Drama Eisteddfod and Gippsland Parasteddfod were ineligible for Community Development Grants as the events had been previously funded on three occasions.

The Women on Farms gathering will be hosted in West Gippsland in March next year and will be in its 30th year.

A report to council said the Women on Farms Gathering was expected to bring more than 250 women together from across the state to provide support for women’s issues.

“The event showcases all Baw Baw has to offer, provides networking opportunities and links support for business and health outcomes,” the report said.

Women on Farms organisers sought $5000 sponsorship but officers assessed the event as eligible for level two sponsorship of $3000.