Funding to boost community event

MOORE Park Beach Arts Festival is one of 11 community organisations and events in the Bundaberg region that have just received a share of almost a quarter of a million dollars in government funding.

Through the latest round of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund grants, the festival committee received $20,000 to put towards the annual event.

Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett has welcomed the significant funding boost for local community groups.

"We are delighted that we are able to make sure these types of events can continue to grow and that the hard work that goes into the arts festival is able to be continued to be supported by community funding," he said.

"I think it is great that arts are acknowledged in our community and the fact that state governments can contribute in some small way to the success of these iconic local events."

Secretary of the Moore Park Beach Arts Festival Liz Coker said the funding would allow for more activities to be held during the Moore Park Beach Festival on August 7, 8 and 9.

"When Stephen called me and congratulated us about getting the grant, I nearly fell off my chair. We were not expecting it," she said.

"Having this grant has allowed us to get more entertainment. By getting this funding, it has let us re-book things that we have had to cancel previously.

"This year we have Ranger Nick who is a camp oven cook and he will be doing taste testings. We will also have fireworks on the Saturday night and live entertainment plus much more ."

Mr Bennett said the quarterly grants allowed profits from gambling to be invested back into grassroots services and facilities that benefited people from all walks of the community.

"These grants can be the difference between keeping these important services in our area," he said.