Australia Day events funding

Media Response 20 January 2019
Australia Day

Journalist’s enquiry: I’m writing a story for Sunday about funding of Australia Day celebrations. I have a few questions specific to South Perth. I’d appreciate a response to the below questions by 3pm Friday. I note from the Lotterywest website that a $295,000 grant was made to the City of South Perth on October 29, 2018 towards the Australia Day Celebration Zone and a range of community events during 2019.

  • Can you confirm that of the $295,000 granted by Lotterywest, $275,000 is towards South Perth’s Australia Day celebrations?
  • What was the $ amount of Lotterywest funding spent on the South Perth’s Australia Day celebrations in 2018?
  • What is the City’s total budget for the South Perth Australia Day celebrations in 2018?
  • What is the City’s total budget for the South Perth’s Australia Day celebrations in 2019?
  • If the total budget for Australia Day celebrations has reduced in 2019, what is the reason?

Please attribute the following statement to City of South Perth Mayor, Sue Doherty.

Can you confirm that of the $295,000 granted by Lotterywest, $275,000 is towards South Perth’s Australia Day celebrations?

The City of South Perth successfully secured funding from Lotterywest towards its 2019 program of arts and cultural events.
 
The $295,000 Community Events grant will contribute to facilitating events, arts and cultural activities including the 2019 Australia Day Celebration Zone supported by Lotterywest ($275,000) and the City's 2019 Arts, Events and Cultural Program ($20,000).
 
The City of South Perth hosts a family friendly Australia Day celebration at Sir James Mitchell Park on the beautiful and iconic South Perth foreshore on 26 January each year.
 
The 2019 South Perth Australia Day Celebration Zone supported by Lotterywest is a smoke and alcohol free area packed with free activities, rides and entertainment for all ages. It features multiple event areas with 100 free activities suitable for toddlers through to adults.
 
It is anticipated that over 180,000 people including families, youth and seniors will participate, interact and experience the City’s events and activities taking place from November 2018 through until April 2019.
 
Grants from Lotterywest under this program bring communities together to celebrate who they are and what they value, through events like festivals, fairs and awareness days.
 
What was the $ amount of Lotterywest funding spent on the South Perth’s Australia Day celebrations in 2018?
 
$300,000
 
What is the City’s total budget for the South Perth Australia Day celebrations in 2018?
 
$870,000
 
What is the City’s total budget for the South Perth’s Australia Day celebrations in 2019?
 
$845,000
 
If the total budget for Australia Day celebrations has reduced in 2019, what is the reason? 
 
The City was able to decrease its Australia Day Celebration Zone budget for this year’s event by achieving cost savings through greater sharing of resources and collaboration with the other associated event stakeholders including the City of Perth.

Media contact

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