Local creative community awarded $18,000

Children’s entertainers The Vegetable Plot performed at last year’s Lorne Festival of Performing Arts (FOPA).

THE Otways creative community has received $18,000 worth of grants thanks to the state government’s Small Regional Presenters program.

The Apollo Bay Chamber of Commerce and the Lorne Community Arts and Culture Foundation are two of the 13 community groups across Victoria to have been awarded support.

Gayle Tierney MP made the announcement last Tuesday which will see both groups better able to facilitate and deliver local arts festivals and performances to their respective towns.

“Congratulations to the Apollo Bay and Lorne communities on these grants and the work you do year-round to strengthen our local creative scene,” Ms Tierney said.

“Victoria is the creative state and the Small Regional Presenters program is one way we are ensuring that communities of all sizes get to enjoy the benefits of creative and cultural participation.”

The Apollo Bay Chamber of Commerce was granted $15,000 to bring the acclaimed group Snuff Puppets to the 2019 Winter Wild Festival in August, while the Lorne Community Arts and Culture Foundation was granted $3,750 to present a “special live performance” as part of the 2019 Lorne Festival of Performing Arts in October.