The first round of the City of Bunbury’s Grant Program has been finalised with returning favourites and a variety of new events set to bolster the City’s events calendar.
Published 17 August 2022, updated 18 August 2022
A total of $272,850 has been allocated to 34 applicants across the categories of Community Connect, Neighbourhood Connect, Signature Events and Achievement.
A revamp of the 2022 Grant Program has provided opportunities for more community-led initiatives alongside those events the City has become renowned for, promoting Bunbury as a place to live, visit and invest.
Returning events include the Lost & Found Festival, Tree Street Art Safari, Bunbury Summer School, the Noongar Basketball Carnival, Bunbury Fringe and CinefestOZ.
Among the new events is the Smart 2 Ask Community Expo, a Supercoast eSports and Gaming Expo and the Lego inspired Bricktopia.
Bunbury Mayor Jaysen Miguel said it was fantastic to announce the successful applicants and to see returning and new events and initiatives for the City.
“Some of the staple ones that have been going on for a number of years have been approved and will be coming back again and we’ve also welcomed a number of new ones as well which is very exciting,” Mayor Miguel said.
He said the Grant Funding program was invaluable in helping create a vibrant City.
“We want to support our events, new ideas and initiatives and bring people to town because that’s what these things do,” Mayor Miguel said.
"They'll bring people to the area, but they'll also create great opportunities for our community to connect."
Bunbury Mayor Jaysen Miguel
Expected to be a popular addition to Bunbury’s events calendar, a St. Patrick’s Day Festival has also been successful.
Southwest Irish Community Group Chairman Ronan O’Mara said the group was grateful to be included in the Grant Funding round and its two-day festival would celebrate Irish culture, dancing and food.
“We’re really appreciative of (Bunbury City) Council and delighted to receive the funding – it will be a great boost for our Irish community,” Mr O’Mara said.
The St. Patrick’s Day Festival is planned for March 2023.
A second round of funding for the Community Connect and Signature events categories will open in November 2022.
Visit here for more information and to apply for the next round.