KIAMA SET TO COME ALIVE WITH LOCAL EVENTS

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward MP has today announced that the Kiama township is set to come alive with local events and festivals with over $440,000 funding now secured.

Mr Ward said these grants were about putting locals first. However, but putting on events that locals love, tourists all also come.

The successful grant recipient from the NSW Government’s Reconnecting Regional NSW Community Events Program is:

• Kiama Municipal Council – $239,651 funding – for ‘Kiama Alive’ a series of community events which encourage local residents to get outdoors. It will deliver an array of events and activities. With community markets, fairs, festivals, sporting events, food and leisure, community public holiday celebrations, the aim to bring residents together and reconnect. ‘Kiama Alive’ offerings include:
  • New Years Eve 2022
  • Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival 2023
  • Kiama Beach Tag
  • Eat Like a Local
  • Street Soiree Series (Spring, Summer, and Autumn)
  • Kids Festival of Fun
  • Kiama Community Carols
  • Gerringong Community Carols
  • Jamberoo Community Carols
  • Gerringong Christmas Street Parade
  • Light Up Kiama
  • Australia Day 2023

The two successful local projects under the NSW Government’s Regional Events Acceleration Fund include:

• $147,300 funding for Kiama Music and Arts Pty Ltd – for the Clearly Arts and Music Festival (31st March 2023 to 1st April 2023).

The Clearly Music & Arts Festival is a one-day music and contemporary event
that highlights the rich culture of the area of Kiama, New South Wales. The
inaugural annual festival will take place at the Black Beach Reserve in Kiama.
The funding will be used for headline acts and to provide accessible viewing
platform, ramps, concierge support and shade structures.

• $57,000 funding for Ad Lib Theatrical Productions PL to host the SurfLife
  2023 event.

Mr Ward said that it was great to see local live entertainment and festivals back in Kiama again after what has been a terrible time for people in the performing arts and entertainment sector.

“As someone who used to jam in a Jazz Band, I love the performing arts and I enjoy securing grants that inject life and vitality into our community. It’s great for locals and it’s a much-needed boost for local business,” Mr Ward said.

“I hope locals will get out and enjoy these events and festivals. From joining in a community carols events through to ringing in the New Year, I know these investments will be welcomed.

“It is also a much-needed boost for our local economy as people travel to our region and from different locations all over the South Coast and Illawarra to enjoy everything that
our beautiful Kiama Municipality has to offer.

“I’ve always advocated for grants that prioritise locals first. If you put on events that local love, people from outside our region will also travel to be part of it. After all, people who come to our region never forget their visit and remain entirely jealous of those of us that get to call our region home. And that’s just the way we all like it,” Mr Ward concluded.