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ESSO BHP Billiton Wellington Entertainment Centre Annual Performing Arts Season Under Threat

Picture from www.wellington.vic.gov.au

The Australian Government’s Playing Australia program is a victim of its own success and no longer has the funds to maintain the current level of touring productions through regional and rural areas.

By Councillor Jenny O’Neil - 3rd September 2007 - Back to News

The Playing Australia program provides funding assistance to access some of the country’s best performing arts, including dance, music and theatre.

Councillor Jenny O’Neill, on behalf of the Esso BHP Billiton Wellington Entertainment Centre (EBBWEC) Advisory Group, today urged the Australian Government to increase funding to its Playing Australia program, and expressed her fears that the current lack of funding would endanger the 2008 performing arts season planned for the EBBWEC.

"This is because Playing Australia has only had one funding increase in fifteen years," said Cr O’Neill.

"The two most recent funding announcements (September 2006 and April 2007) have fallen short by an estimated $3 million dollars."

"For the people of Wellington this means that EBBWEC will be forced to present three fewer performances in 2008, impacting on about 900 patrons," said Cr O’Neill.

"Since EBBWEC’s opening in 2003, this Wellington Shire Council facility has worked hard to build audiences and present a diverse range of high quality performing arts.

"We want this valuable centre to strengthen", said Councillor O’Neill.

"We call on the Australian government to provide Playing Australia with the required $2m annual increase to ensure EBBWEC and other regional centres can maintain programs at current levels.

"They should also put in place a strategy for periodic increases so that our audiences can continue to be entertained and challenged with a strong and vibrant arts program of which we can be proud," said Cr O’Neill.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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