CHILLOUT RECEIVES FUNDING BOOST

The Hepburn Shire will welcome visitors from near and far for Chillout Festival in March 2024 thanks to support from the Victorian Government.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas today announced the Chillout Festival is a successful funding recipient, receiving $50,000 from the Government’s Regional Events Fund.

ChillOut Festival is Australia’s premier regional LGBTIQ+ arts and cultural festival, held annually in the villages of Daylesford and Hepburn Springs. ChillOut Festival 2024 will be the 27th iteration of the festival, making it Australia’s oldest and longest running regional queer festival, now attracting 28,000+ visitors and filling accommodation and restaurants in the region.

To be held from Thursday 7th March – Monday 11th March 2024 (Labour Day Weekend), the festival is made up of over 55 diverse activities and events, including visual arts, live music, comedy, cabaret, parties, sport, social events, and public forums. This includes ticketed and free events from a range of LGBTQIA+ artists and performers. Chillout has continued to raise the profile of the Hepburn Shire as a visitor destination.

The Government is backing a jam-packed calendar of crowd-pleasing public events in regional and rural areas in 2023. The $20 million Regional Events Fund is a critical component of the $633 million Visitor Economy Recovery and Reform Plan and supports festivals, sports events, creative exhibitions and other cultural celebrations.

The Regional Events Fund drives economic benefits to Victoria by increasing visitor numbers and length of stay, thereby boosting spending in regional areas and supporting local jobs.

Since 2016, the Government’s Regional Events Fund has funded more than 300 events across the state.

Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas

“We are proud to support Australia’s premier regional LGBTIQ+ arts and cultural festival because it encourages people to visit regional destinations and enjoy the wide range of experiences on offer.”

“Chillout will be a fantastic event that is set to bring more visitors to the Hepburn Shire,providing a boost to local businesses and jobs.