Mount Gambier Fringe funding boost welcomed

Thursday October 18, 2018

Published by Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell MP

The future of Mount Gambier’s Fringe Festival is assured following the State Government’s announcement they will commit $10,000 in funding towards the event for the next three years.

Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell welcomed the news from Premier Steven Marshall, saying he has lobbied strongly for State Government support for the regional arts event.

“This is great news for an event which has been actively supported by the Mount Gambier community and now has a bright future,” he said.

“I wrote to the Premier personally on this matter and have raised the issue of funding several times in State Parliament in recent months. I’d like to congratulate the Premier, who is also the Minister for Arts, for throwing his support behind Mount Gambier’s Fringe Festival.”

The Premier’s office has confirmed the $10,000 in funding per year will be provided to Mount Gambier City Council through Country Arts SA.

The South Australian Tourism Commission is also providing $10,000 towards the marketing of the 2019 Fringe Festival in Mount Gambier through the 2018-19 Regional Events and Festivals Program.

Mr Bell said the Mount Gambier event, based on the successful Adelaide Fringe Festival, had gone from strength to strength since its first event in 2017.

This year, the event kicked off with an open-air street party in the city streets and was followed by a week-long calendar of events at Mount Gambier venues. 

“Fringe is an event which brings the city alive with music, comedy and performance art and brings a buzz to the streets of Mount Gambier each year,” Mr Bell said.

“It not only brings a diverse range of performers to our city but showcases our thriving regional arts scene. Ongoing funding provides financial surety and means organisers can plan ahead with confidence.”

Mr Bell encouraged the Limestone Coast region to get behind the 2019 event.

“Whether you’re a business, an artist or just someone with an idea or concept for an event, there are so many ways to get involved,” he said.

“Throw your support behind our regional arts scene and make Mount Gambier’s Fringe Festival a success for 2019 and into the future.”

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