Saturday, 21 January 2023 16:00
LABOR ANNOUNCES PLAN FOR COUNTRY MUSIC
LABOR has launched its plan for Country Music in NSW, with a commitment to complete the state’s first Regional Music Census, mapping music venues, performances and music infrastructure across regional NSW for the first time.
An analysis of the latest data from Liquor and Gaming shows that NSW has slipped dramatically behind Victoria when it comes to regional music venues, with just 48 specific music venues in regional NSW compared to 308 music venues in regional Victoria - less than a sixth as many.
Based on Victorian research, the economic gain to NSW of closing that gap would be nearly $450 million in extra economic activity each year.
The Regional Music Census would be completed alongside a music census for Sydney venues, with both to be completed by the end of 2023.
Other elements of Labor’s plan to support country music over four years include:
• Guaranteed funding for five Country Music Association of Australia Academy of Country Music Senior Scholarships per year, $40,000 to support the Academy to deliver their country music education and professional development programs, and $7,500 per year to send the leading graduate to Nashville.
• Working as a priority to set up a Special Entertainment Precinct in Tamworth, along with local live music venues and Tamworth Regional Council to guarantee the long term future of the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
• A commitment to country music representation on the Contemporary Music Artform board.
Making this announcement at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, John Graham, Shadow Minister for the Arts, Music and the Night Time Economy said: “Country music in NSW has huge potential given our talented artists, the importance of the Tamworth festival and the grip country music has on the heartstrings of the biggest music market in the world.”
“We want to see that potential grow, especially after a hard couple of years for the industry. We need to back our regional venues to make that possible and rebuild the regional touring circuit that is so important to the country music scene.”
“The first step is this stocktake on the regional venues we have, which allows us to build from there.”
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Wednesday, 18 January 2023 13:21
SWIM SENSE TACKLES ADULT DROWNINGS
BLACKTOWN City residents will have the opportunity to develop important water safety skills this summer with the return Blacktown City Council’s water safety program ‘Swim Sense’. In the past 12 months,d rowning deaths in Australia have increased alarmingly. The Royal Life Saving Society Australia reported that adults aged18-plus accounted for just under 90% of drownings in 2022. Blacktown City Council’s aquatic and leisure centres are determined to help reduce those numbers and annual ‘Swim Sense’ program will play an important part at a local level. As of 16 January 2023, there have been 39 drowning deaths according to the Royal Life SavingSummer Drowning Toll. Swim Sense is designed for adults who cannot swim or are not confident swimmers. It teaches important water safety awareness and skills they can use to build their confidence and competence in and around the water. The program provides basic swimming techniques and covers pool, waterways and beach safety. Swim Sense is aFREE4-day water safety education program aimed at adults living in the Blacktown City Local Government Area (LGA). Starting on Monday 16 January 2023, the program will be run at Blacktown Leisure Centre Sanhope, Blacktown Aquatic Centre,Charlie Lowles Leisure Centre and Riverstone Swimming Centre. Blacktown Aquatic Centre and Riverstone Swim Centre have both recently celebrated their 60thbirthdays and with Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope about to celebrate its 20th birthday on Saturday, February4, 2023, there is no better time for adults to learn to experience water in a safe way and open up a new world door of fun, fitness and social interaction. For more information visit: www.aqualearntoswim.com.au
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Wednesday, 18 January 2023 13:04
SUMMER OF FUN IN BLACKTOWN CITY
Festivities return after two years
BLACKTOWN City is the centre of fun, family and cultural events this summer, with Australia Day and Lunar New Year celebrations returning after two years.
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