Morrison Government gets behind Wynnum Fringe Festival for its second year

Wynnum’s Fringe Festival is back and better than ever this year after being awarded funding as part of the Morrison Government’s Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund, which supports the creative and cultural sector reactivate following disruption caused by COVID-19 restrictions.

The Festival’s success during its first year was a key driver in it securing this funding of $236,000, which will now see it’s return as an annual event.

With the Wynnum Fringe Festival being an idea born out of Wynnum based actor, singer and creative producer Tom Oliver during Covid last year, this arts experience enabled valuable community opportunities by means of creating jobs whilst also supporting the creative sector.

The Morrison Government has committed almost $15 million from the $200 million RISE Fund to deliver the creative and cultural sector the support it needs.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said funding of these arts projects will mean more jobs, arts, cultural activities and events to ensure this sector can get back on its feet.

“I am very pleased Wynnum Fringe Festival will be receiving a funding boost, returning for an even bigger and more show stopping year taking place between 16 to 21 November. I recently had the privilege of congratulating Wynnum Fringe Festival Founder and Artistic Director Tom Oliver personally,” Mr Vasta said.

“The cultural sector has proven its resilience over this challenging period. This is certainly fantastic news for our Bonner community as the funding will also help sustain local businesses and tourism, hospitality and transport and will provide confidence to the sector to plan for the future.”

Wynnum Fringe Festival Founder and Artistic Director Tom Oliver said he is thrilled to see the event receive this funding, especially after experiencing the remarkable outcomes within the arts sector and local economy following last year’s event.

“I moved back to Wynnum last year after an Australian tour I was performing in was cut short. I saw how hard hit our creative industry was in Brisbane. With so much local talent thrown into unemployment, I knew I needed to play a part in rebuilding the arts sector and Wynnum Fringe was the answer,” Mr Oliver said.

“With this cash boost thanks to the Morrison Government, I couldn’t be more excited for this year’s festival in November, not only to see our much-loved local artists get back on the stage, but for the community to experience the arts in a way they haven’t before.”

The $15 million allocation of the RISE funding will support 61 arts projects across Australia- including Wynnum Fringe Festival- bolstering the cultural and creative sector that is a vital part of the economic and social life of the nation.

Small to medium organisations accounted for eighty-five per cent of successful recipients in this batch, approximately forty percent of the funding will go to organisations in the not-for-profit sector and sixty percent to the commercial sector.

For more information on how the RISE fund is supporting the arts and entertainment sector to reactivate, please click here:  https://www.arts.gov.au/funding-and-support/rise-fund

Speaking in the Federation Chamber on Wynnum Fringe Festival