Macedon events receive funding boost

Macedon will welcome visitors from near and far for three fantastic local events in 2023, thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas today announced Winter Sounds, Chillout Festival and the Woodend Winter Arts Festival have all been successful recipients from the Andrews Government’s $20 million Regional Events Fund.

Winter Sounds will use their Regional Events Fund contributions to support a four-day series of performances by Australian musicians taking place in unique heritage spaces. The Woodend Winter Arts Festival will use their funding to support high-calibre artists across Macedon with forty events over the June 2023 long weekend, both will raise the profile of the Macedon Ranges as a visitor destination.

Chillout will use their Regional Events Fund contributions to support the largest and longest running LGBTIQ+ Festival in regional Australia and raise the profile of Hepburn as a visitor destination.

The Andrews Labor Government is backing a jam-packed calendar of crowd-pleasing public events in regional and rural areas in 2022.

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 events like Chillout, Winter Sounds and the Woodend Winter Arts Festival because they encourage people to visit regional destinations and enjoy the wide range of experiences we have on offer."

“Chillout, Winter Sounds and the Woodend Winter Arts Festival will be fantastic events that are set to bring more visitors to the Macedon Ranges and Hepburn Shires, providing a boost to local businesses and jobs.