SOME people in the Mallee arts industry are feeling forgotten.
Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh announced at the weekend the Victorian Liberal-Nationals Opposition planned to deliver a $10 million fund to get community sport back on its feet.
Co-owners of Richardson Dance Studio Raylene Richardson and Kaiti Blackmore said it was poor timing to make the announcement the day after the AFL Grand Final.
“We saw it and we were really happy for the local sporting clubs because most of our dancers do sport as well,” Ms Richardson said.
“We were over the moon, but it’s a slap in the face.
“We’re all for any groups getting assistance, but maybe hand some out to the arts.”
She said the arts industry had been forgotten and theatres were not allowed to open.
“We understand that the children have missed out on football, netball and sport, but we also want to keep them active and engaged.
“We feel again like the arts is left on the back burner – sport is such a big part of this town and community, but there’s a lot of kids that aren’t sporty.”
The pair said it wasn’t just dancers missing out, but people who took music lessons, visual artists and other forms of the arts.
The Swan Hill Theatre Group board was also happy to hear of the funding, but pleaded for the arts to be considered.
“Like everything else, community sport has been hit hard by the ongoing lockdowns and restrictions,” Ms Richardson said.
“We really hope that the arts will also be considered for financial assistance to support us and other arts-related activities to continue in our region.
“They provide many opportunities and entertainment for our local community. It has been very difficult for our members and audiences over the last couple of years.”
Swan Hill Town Hall venue technician Brad Morpeth said he understood sports had a place in the region, “like we do”, but the arts was the first thing to shut during lockdowns and the last to reopen.
Mr Walsh said due to the “seemingly endless” yo-yo lockdowns, grassroots sporting clubs across regional Victoria had suffered 18 months of cancellations, ripping the soul out of much-loved outlets for communities.
He said many sporting clubs now faced significant financial pressures so they needed additional support to restart in time for the coming summer season and beyond.
“Under this new funding program, individual sporting clubs could apply for up to $50,000 in funding towards kick-starting operations and supporting ongoing financial viability,” he said.
“Local clubs significantly contribute to the physical and mental health of hundreds of thousands of sportspeople, volunteers and families across the state and most of them have lost significant revenue through sponsorship, gate takings and fundraisers.
“As Victoria continues towards National Cabinet vaccination thresholds, it’s obvious we need this plan to save local sport and get communities back together.”
