Event-full future for Hepburn Shire

At the September Ordinary Meeting of Council, Councillors resolved to enter into two-year Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the ChillOut Festival, Clunes Booktown, The Great Trentham Spudfest and CresFest. 

The events have been assessed against the funding framework criteria set out in Council’s Event Strategy. 

Mayor, Cr Don Henderson, said that Council is proud to continue supporting these community-driven events that showcase our Shire’s diversity, character and assets. 

“Our events are a drawcard to our Shire, delivering $15 million in visitor expenditure, 128,000 overnight stays, 62 event days and 27 separate tourism events annually. They inject colour and personality into our townships that draws people from near and far,” Cr Don Henderson said.   

The ChillOut Festival, Australia’s longest running and largest regional LGBTIQA+ pride festival, Clunes Booktown, an internationally renowned book festival, The Great Trentham Spudfest, a unique event that shines the ‘spudlight’ on Australia’s Top Tiny Tourism Town and CresFest, a folk and roots festival held in Creswick, will all receive Signature Event support.  

• ChillOut Festival
  • two-year MoU, $20,000 financial support per year and $10,000 in-kind support per year.

• Clunes Booktown
  • two-year MoU, $16,000 financial support per year and $7,500 in-kind support per year. 

• The Great Trentham Spudfest 
  •  two-year MoU, $16,000 financial support per year and $7,500 in-kind support per year. 

• CresFest 
  •  two-year MoU, $10,000 financial support per year and $6,000 in-kind support per year. 

“CresFest will continue to receive support from Council officers to encourage its growth and development. It remains a vital event on the Shire’s calendar, and we look forward to supporting its growth over the next two years,” he said. 

Read more about the region’s events.