Community
30 July, 2026
Funding flows to support Moyne events
MOYNE Shire councillors have thrown their support for the next year of events with almost $150,000 flowing to local groups which will give shire residents no shortage of reasons to get out and about.
Councillors voted unanimously to award a total of $149,600 in funding to 21 applicants under the latest round of the Festival and Event Funding Program at this Tuesday’s Ordinary Meeting of Council.
Included in the funding recipients was $2400 for the Federation of Veteran, Vintage and Classic Car Clubs to support the Federal Picnic in Mortlake.
A further $6000 was allocated for the Mortlake Recreation Reserve Committee to host the Mortlake Gift again this year.
The Panmure Action Group also received $1500 to ensure the Panmure Anzac Day ceremony can run smoothly in 2027.
Councillor Jim Doukas raised a question prior to the vote in which he said he would like the shire to take a more business-minded approach to how funds are allocated under future rounds of the program.
“I’m in support but going forward why don’t we have a more business-type review on some of these festival events?” he said.
“I see a lot of money goes into propping them up, especially when it comes to promotion which I suppose they could get from anywhere through funding and sponsorship.
“I think we need to review it from a more business perspective to see which of those events could survive without our help and to look at how we fund them and what are the reasons behind the funding.
“Some of these I don’t think warrant the funding they’re getting – they deserve some, but some of the funding they’re getting just doesn’t make sense.”
The report before council noted Moyne Shire events support a total economic output of $22.1 million with 92 jobs and $5.1 million in wages and salaries, with 103 events held in 2025 drawing in 105,610 attendances with a total expenditure of $16.9 million.
It was believed every dollar spent at events generates an addition 31 cents in economic activity across the local community.
The total percentage of funding which Mortlake received under the program fell for the 2026-2027 program, however it was noted the fall is in line with a fall in applications – with just two applications against five in the 2025-2026 round.
Applications were assessed against a range of assessment indicators including the need for funds, economic impact and community retention and investment.
Despite raising his concern, Cr Doukas moved the motion and congratulated the funding recipients.
“It’s a great facility that we provide with the community,” he said.
“I’ve just spoken about a few little issues I have with it but that doesn’t mean we’re going to cancel them.
“We need to be more prudent and stringent with the way we go about it, so congratulations to all those clubs that have received some funding.
“We’ll have somewhere to go for the next 12 months to enjoy ourselves.”
Councillor Lloyd Ross seconded the motion, saying he was in strong support of the Festival and Events Funding program.
“I would like to shout out the Macarthur pool committee on the $8000 for the 60 years of the Macarthur pool,” he said.
“It’s good to see that.
“I’d like to see in events something out bush, something different that we could support – some new ones.”
The motion was passed unanimously.
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