Media Releases

Member for Rodney Paul Weller is encouraging organisations that conduct eisteddfods throughout the region to apply for a share of $400,000 in Victorian Coalition Government grants to support and strengthen community arts activity across the state.

The grants program, part of the Coalition Government’s commitment to the arts in the
2011-12 Victorian Budget, will be administered by Ballarat’s Royal South Street Society – the longest-running and largest eisteddfod organisation in the country.

“Local eisteddfods benefit performers, audiences and local communities,” Mr Weller said.

“They are often the first taste of performing that many of our young and budding artists receive and are extremely important in uncovering new talent and expanding the opportunities artists have access to.

“They are also of great value to local businesses as they usually draw on entrants from a wide area thus bringing visitors into the region,” he said.

“Eisteddfods are usually run by passionate volunteers and access to supportive funding as being offered by the State Government can be extremely valuable in maintaining the high calibre events that we witness each year.”

In announcing the funding recently, Premier and Minister for the Arts Ted Baillieu said eisteddfods play an important role in communities across Victoria.

“The Coalition Government is committed to building access to the arts, no matter where you live, your tastes or background,” Mr Baillieu said.

“By supporting eisteddfods, we are providing performance opportunities for Victorians from amateurs to experienced performers, we are strengthening the arts offering in local arts facilities and showcasing and celebrating the diversity of performance art on offer across the state.”

Eisteddfod organisations can apply to Royal South Street Society for grants that will help them to meet the costs of staging their activities.

For further details visit www.royalsouthstreet.com.au

Local art groups will receive a boost of enthusiasm when Parliamentary Secretary for The Arts Heidi Victoria visits Echuca-Moama this weekend.

Ms Victoria’s visit coincides with the hugely successful Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival, at which she will be a special guest of Member for Rodney Paul Weller.

“We are thrilled to have such an important Arts representative visit our region, especially during our fantastic Winter Blues Festival,” Mr Weller said.

“Ms Victoria plays a key role in the development of Arts in Victoria as part of her responsibility to assist the Premier and Arts Minister Ted Baillieu with his portfolio.”

Ms Victoria will soak up all the atmosphere of this vibrant festival with a stroll down historic High Street to the Port of Echuca, where she will enjoy a Gospel Lunch and meet with Campaspe Shire Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Winter Blues Festival Peter Williams.

“It is a unique opportunity to showcase Echuca-Moama as a cultural destination, through the fantastic atmosphere created by an incredible line up of live blues musicians,” Mr Weller said.

Ms Victoria will also meet with Echuca-Moama Tourism Executive Officer Peter White and Chair of Echuca-Moama Tourism Kerrie Pitts, to discuss the issue of attracting more visitors to the region through festivals and events like the Winter Blues Festival.

Following the Winter Blues festivities, Ms Victoria will meet with community art groups including the Echuca-Moama Arts Initiative, a new umbrella group representing all art groups in town.