Grant funding has given the ‘A Moore Park Beach Christmas' event a boost, enhancing its offerings and promoting it outside of the area to attract visitors.
Moore Park Beach Arts Inc has been successful in receiving funding and mentoring support through Regional Arts Australia Cultural Tourism Generator program and funding from Bundaberg Regional Council’s Special Event Grant program.
‘A Moore Park Beach Christmas' will be held on Saturday 17 December.
The local arts group was invited to be part of the Regional Arts Australia Cultural Tourism Generator program in July and President Trish Mears said it was a wonderful experience.
“The program gave us access to a mentor, Daniel Dunlop, who has been incredible to work with,” she said.
“Dan is a Business Advisor with Creative Plus Business and has not only helped many creative organisations, but has also worked for incredible organisations like Cirque de Soleil and Queensland Ballet,” Trish said.
“The mentoring process was one that the Moore Park Beach Arts Inc committee really got a lot out of.
“It was good having someone of Dan’s extensive experience from outside our area encourage us to look at our community’s unique features and how they could form the basis of an event to attract tourists.
“The whole planning process was very worthwhile and helped us create an event we are proud of”.
As the funding had to be used by the end of March, Moore Park Beach Arts Inc decided to use it to expand the annual Moore Park Beach Carols event, run in conjunction with Moore Park Beach Community Association and Moore Park Lions.
“Carols has been held for many years in Moore Park Beach and last year Moore Park Beach Arts Inc got involved, running Christmas Markets and organising the Christmas Choir,” Trish said.
“By receiving this funding, we are able to make the event much bigger and include more arts activity.
“An upgraded outside stage will feature fabulous entertainment, and we are bringing back the ever-popular Sandology to demonstrate the art of sand sculptures and run a sand modelling competition.”
“Other activities include the petting zoo for the children, the Christmas Singers organised by Jo Carr, not only involving local singers, but students from Moore Park Beach State School and Christmas markets and food stalls.
“A Moore Park Beach Christmas will also continue with favourites, including the arrival of Santa on the Rural Fire Brigade truck, lollies for the children, Battery World candles for all, Christmas Lights residents’ competition and fireworks.
“We’re also excited to have the ABC Wide Bay Quilt Project on display, which some of our committee members were part of.”
Trish said the Council grant also boosted the event.
“We really appreciate Council’s support – not only providing funding for the staging of our event, but also including us in their 12 Days of Christmas promotional campaign,” Trish said.
A Moore Park Beach Christmas will be held from 2 pm to 8p m Saturday 17 December.
You can keep up to date on Instagram and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mooreparkbeachartsinc and website: https://mooreparkbeachartsinc.com.au/
This project was made possible by the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund, which supports the arts in regional and remote Australia.
