Applause for arts funding

By Ed Merrison
ARTS Minister Mary Delahunty visited the hills last week to announce the latest round of grants which are vital for bringing drama to remote communities.
Ms Delahunty visited Burrinja on Wednesday, 17 May to announce grants totalling almost $190,000 through Arts Victoria’s Touring Victoria program.
Among the six grant recipients were the Melbourne Workers Theatre which landed a grant of $22,380 to help it take Aboriginal play Yanagai! Yanagai! to country Victoria, including a September performance at Burrinja.
Yanagai! Yanagai! writer and director Andrea James spoke of her upbringing in Benalla and the importance of making theatre accessible to people in rural and remote areas.
Burrinja executive officer Ross Farnell said the grants allowed places such as the hills to attract quality drama.
“There’s no way theatres would be able to afford it without Arts Victoria funds,” he said.
Monbulk MP James Merlino commended the hard work of people at Burrinja and the theatre companies in securing the funds.
“I just think it’s vital that communities in regional Victoria and here in the Dandenong Ranges and outer suburbs have access to touring productions,” he said.