Country Events Funding

Thu 5 May 2011

Tourism and Major Events Minister Louise Asher has announced 24 regional organisations across Victoria will receive a total of $74,500 under the April 2011 round of the Victorian Government's Country Victoria Events Program (CVEP).

The funding will support regional organisations delivering sports, music, visual arts, food and wine and multicultural festival events across Victoria.

One of the Victoria's key strengths is the dynamic and diverse range of regional experiences on offer.  Supported events demonstrate potential for increased economic benefit and visitation, and enhancement of the region's particular tourism strengths and local community identity.

Supported events such as the Harvest Moon Festival in Bendigo, Weekend Fit for a King and La Dolce Vita in the King Valley wine region and the Pyrenees Escapade are gaining interstate and international recognition, cementing Victoria's reputation as a premier regional events destination.

One of the events funded for 2011 is the 2011 Shedfest Wine Festival which is an annual event in Seville, to be held 8 and 9 October this year.  Wineries will open their sheds for a two-day wine and food festival.

This April round of funding also acknowledged successful regional events including Geelong's Toast to the Coast, the Heathcote Wine and Food Festival, Shepparton's KidsFest and the Australian National Show and Shine Euroa.

Funding for inaugural events such as the Festival of Performing Arts in Lorne highlight the creativity and innovation of regional communities across Victoria.

The Country Victoria Events Program provides up to $10,000 per event to assist with tourism marketing and event delivery and development. CVEP funding application closing dates are April 1 and October 1 annually. For further information visit www.visitvictoria.com