INVERELL Shire Council will decide at its monthly meeting today whether to match State Government funding for next year's Opera in the Paddock.
Member for Northern Tablelands, Richard Torbay, yesterday announced $7500 for the event.
Opera Northwest Limited is now a registered non-profit company and Opera in the Paddock co-ordinator Peta Blyth has approached council seeking a $5000 donation in addition to carrying out works to make it more accessible.
Mrs Blyth said there was a rock within 100 metres of the opera site, which an excavator and some trucks could assist in moving and spreading over black soil to allow better access to the venue during adverse weather.
She said there had been a huge amount of effort and money contributed to the event.
"We have spent a substantial amount on water proofing and upgrading the stage," she said.
Inverell tourism manager Les Moulds highlighted the popularity of the event with statistics.
He said Opera in the Paddock injected more than $240,000 into the local economy.
Mr Moulds said records from the ticket sales showed the distribution of audience included 25 per cent from the district, 45 per cent from regional areas, and 30 per cent from Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne.
Council's Cultural Plan confirms council spends $5000 towards the staging of the Tom Roberts Festival and $10,000 towards the Sapphire City Festival and $4000 towards other public cultural events.
Along with yesterday's Government funding, sponsorship from QantasLink will help stage a workshop for singing and music students in Armidale.
Mr Torbay said the concert under the stars to be held on Saturday, March 17 at Mimosa, Delungra, next year had become a flagship event for the region.
"It is a fantastic homegrown event for Inverell, and the high quality of the music and the singers is a credit to the organisers Peta and Bill Blyth," he said.
"I look forward to attending each year and it keeps getting better and better."
QantasLink marketing and sales manager Emanuel Tzafaris said the airline was sponsoring five singers to give a workshop in Armidale before the concert at Delungra.
© 2006 Inverell Times
<< Back