By Callum Ludwig
Townships across the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges have an opportunity to host community events, with applications opening for the Victorian Government’s Small and Medium Events Program.
The program is focused on suburbs in outer metropolitan Melbourne like the Yarra Ranges and provides grants to help organisers to cover the costs of their events – including venue hire, performer fees, staffing and marketing.
Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Jim Child said it is an opportunity for our local event organisers to make an application for grants to assist with the costs associated with running events.
“Yarra Ranges is proudly home to a vibrant calendar of events that help enrich our community, support our local businesses, and offer exciting and unique experiences for our visitors,” he said.
“We encourage our events operators to take advantage of the grants and get in contact with Council for any guidance with necessary permits.”
Grants are available from $5,000 to $25,000 for small events (1,000 – 4,999 attendees) and from $25,000 to $50,000 for medium events (5,000 – 10,000 attendees).
“The Economic Development and Investment team regularly shares grants and programs available to our businesses from the State and Federal governments,” said Cr Child.
“We hope that our businesses’ e-bulletin, business specific Facebook page and other regular correspondence with our community support our businesses to be aware of opportunities available to them.”
To be eligible, the event must be held in a Local Government Area in Greater Melbourne and be held between 1 June 2023 and 31 December 2023.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said they’re backing smaller events across the city and suburbs, because more options diversifies the offering for locals and visitors alike.
“We know events deliver massive benefits to the Victorian economy and with this new program, we’re supporting more jobs and backing communities,” he said.
To find out more about the Program and to apply, visit business.vic.gov.au/small-and-medium-events-program. Applications close on 28 February 2023.
To sign up for the Yarra Ranges Business newsletter in order not to miss grant program opportunities available in the Yarra Ranges, you can sign up here:
https://vic.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=e5121508315e3111fb61dcf89&id=a1a40cdcde
