Members of the dynamic Bobby Jack’s Festival committee were delighted to find out they will receive a grant to ensure their fledgling Walcha event continues to grow in its second year.
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Launched in April 2018, the first festival was pulled together by the team in just nine months and proved very popular with both locals and regular festival goers.
After submitting an application for funding late last year, the committee was ecstatic when the Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson announced last week they had secured $20,000 from the NSW Government’s 2019 Incubator Event Fund.
Mr Anderson said the fund assists rural and regional events in their first or second year to grow attendance and boost the local visitor economy.
“This is great news for Walcha and Bobby Jack’s Festival, not only does it bring some great entertainment to town, it also gives local talent a stage and an opportunity to perform their own songs.
“Whether it’s food and wine events or music and sporting festivals, we know that events play an important role in driving additional overnight visitation to, and help to create more jobs.
“Bobby Jack’s Festival is unique that all the pieces performed are original songs from the musicians – there are no covers of other artists.
“This is a fantastic way to fuel our local economy by putting more heads on hotel beds, diners in our restaurants and shoppers in our boutiques, and I am delighted this event will receive this Government funding support.”
This year the festival will once again be held in the Walcha Showground on April 12 and 13.
This is a fantastic way to fuel our local economy
- Kevin Anderson
Friday night will be a chance for local emerging artists to get out of their garage and onto a public stage. On Saturday more than ten acts will perform in the purpose-built village of food stalls and workshops.
The festival has a strong focus on being family friendly with onsite camping, a dedicated kid’s area and a ‘no wally policy’ that promotes responsible drinking and means disruptive and offensive behaviour will not be tolerated.
“We are super excited to launch this year’s festival,” said organiser Hugh Cook.
“We have managed to lock in some of the New England’s most exciting up and coming bands as well as a few out of towners.
“The ‘Get Out Of Your Garage’ stage will also be in full swing with it being held the day before the main event. This is to give maximum exposure to the artists and will also set a great atmosphere to kick the festival off.”
Vanessa Arundale
Everyone has a story to tell and I like to help them do it.
Everyone has a story to tell and I like to help them do it.
