The Eden Whale Festival committee was given a financial boost this week with the Bega Valley Shire Council donating $15,000 from its for 2012/13 Community Strategic Plan Budget.
Group Manager for Community and relations Leanne Barnes said Council resolved to the “seed” to contribute to the festival committee’s establishment of a self-sustaining operating model.
Festival chair Gordon Beattie welcomed the announcement.
“This was great news for the festival as the committee looks to planning not only this year’s festival but also into the future,” he said.
“The Eden Whale Festival is becoming recognised as a significant regional festival and the foundation that has been laid over past years by the Eden community and all the previous Whale Festival committees is fantastic.
“This year we will add a food and wine layer celebrating our local produce on top of what already exists as well a line up of terrific music.”
He went on to say that the Whale Festival committee looks forward to working with council and other festivals in the shire on ways to develop and share resources shire wide, such as stages, marquees and other infrastructure.
“Festivals and events have a very important role to play in the community and in attracting visitors to the region,” he said.
The festival will be held on November 3 and 4.
The committee will next month announce details of the festival’s major competitions, call for expressions of interest from stall holders and call for volunteers to help during and in the lead up to the festival. Check out the web site www.edenwhalefestval.com.au
