RADF grants make a splash in community

The sculpture will be installed at a new placemaking event called Splashfest.

The project received a $3690 RADF grant at today’s council meeting and was one of 15 applicants to share in $54,184 in arts funding.

RADF Committee deputy chair Cr Karen May said the whale sculpture would be created by Wanda Bennett and Lalune Croker in conjunction with children of Slade Point State School.

“It will then be installed on Lamberts Beach and illuminated for the Splashfest event,” Cr May said.

“The applicant, Lalune Croker, has indicated Splashfest will take place in August, during whale migration season,” she said.

“The vision for the festival includes conservation talks, a sunrise whale-watching walk, a beach-cleaning event, educational programs, marine conservation workshops, sustainable food talks, entertainment, a movie, music and much more.”

While on the theme of promoting our region’s natural assets, the Wind, Earth, Fire and Water Eungella Art Workshop also received a grant of $2680.

Cr May said the project would see artist Colleen James host a two-day workshop using charcoal, ink, and acrylic to represent recent impacts of wind, earth, fire, and water in the landscape of Eungella rainforest.

“The committee was delighted to see a proposal focused on community resilience,” she said.

“Art, and the creation of it, can be a very therapeutic exercise and can help to heal communities impacted by disaster.”

One of the larger grants went to the Mackay Chamber Music Festival.

A grant of $7500 will help fund the second festival which will be a weekend of world-class chamber music, including masterclasses and professional development sessions.

Also receiving grants were:

• Slade Point Neighbourhood Watch - $3850 for artworks on 11 Ergon power poles
• Janet Ambrose - $7558 for a tribute to Greenmount’s Homestead’s Gloria Arrow
• Mackay Writers Group - $3077 for a romance writing workshop at Dolphin Heads
• Donna Maree Robinson - $4532 for a large-scale projection during the Italian Festival
• Jennifer Bee - $3391 to establish an all-abilities choir in the Pioneer Valley
• Jessica Newman - $1196 to attend Drama Australia’s “Renewal” Symposium
• Pioneer Potters Mackay - $4349 for a community potting workshop program
• Brooke McReynolds - $1626 to attend the 2019 Sydney Writers Festival
• Billie-Jo Ogilvie - $1940 to attend the Developing Glazes and Colours workshop
• Mackay and District Italian Association - $1795 for pride of heritage exhibition project
• Dean Cavanagh - $6000 to record, mix and master nine original compositions
• Lian Meaney - $1000 to attend a Wax to Bronze sculptural workshop

The Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Mackay Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.

Queensland Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch said investing in creative and cultural experiences through the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) strengthened regional communities, boosted cultural tourism, and enhanced the quality of life in rural and remote towns and cities.

“RADF is a unique partnership between the Queensland Government and Mackay Regional Council to support local talent, unite communities and celebrate the arts across the state,” Ms Enoch said.

“The Queensland Government, through Arts Queensland, is contributing $2.08 million in 2018-19 in partnership with 58 councils state-wide to help deliver cultural experiences which align with local priorities,” she said.