Assistance for arts and heritage projects

Four arts and four heritage projects will share in about $28,000 of East Gippsland Shire Council funding for a combined project investment of $110,000.

The local events and projects were successful under round one of the Council’s 2018/19 Arts and Heritage Grants program, awarded at Council’s October 2 meeting.

The 2018/19 budget allocation for the arts and heritage categories is $45,000, leaving about $17,000 for round two.

Mayor Cr Joe Rettino said the objective of the grants program is to provide local community-based organisations the opportunity to access funding for a variety of needs and initiatives in a manner that is open, transparent and accountable.

“There is a community value-adding aspect of the program with all funding provided on a dollar-for-dollar matching requirement. This means that Council achieves more value for each dollar expended than would be the case for projects without these partnerships,” Cr Rettino said.

Successful arts projects include:

Bruthen Arts and Events Council - $3,650: Bruthen Blues and Arts Festival, for marketing and promotion.

Wacky Wombat Entertainment - $3,500: Creation of a piece of circus theatre exploring light and movement using LED juggling props. Include a free public performance of ‘Wacky Wombat’s Light Extravaganza’.

Great Alpine Gallery - $4,000: ‘Living River’ – the creation of ephemeral sculptures using biodegradable local plant materials and eco-dyed paper to raise awareness of the health of the Tambo River.

Gippsland Lakes Community Health - $3,400: ‘Love East’ – bringing together two local artists and the East Bairnsdale community to create an artwork on the Cameron Crescent park rebound wall to dissuade graffiti and celebrate the community.

Successful heritage projects include:

Cann River Community Centre - $2,729.59: Digital archiving of the existing collection of documents and artefacts.

Omeo Fire Brigade - $600: History of the Omeo Fire Bell – on each property that was previously used as a fire station a plaque and short history will be attached. A sign outside the current station will carry all the details.

Heritage Network East Gippsland - $5,000: Display materials and marketing for an exhibition communicating the integral role timber has played to the East Gippsland community. Project is in partnership with Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place, East Gippsland Art Gallery, Great Alpine Gallery and Bairnsdale Library.

Creek Ensay Landcare Group - $5,000: The Poet's Walk Working Group will restore, build and complete a set of historical stone cairns and set a significant poem in stone for the wider community to celebrate.

No applications were made for major arts projects.