Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock today visited Willinga Park at Bawley Point to open the first day of competition for Dressage by the Sea and to announce two $20,000 grants in support of growing events hosted by the South Coast’s and NSW’s only world-class equestrian park.
Mrs Hancock said the NSW Government had invested $20,000 under their 2019 Flagship Event Fund to assist Willinga Park in the marketing of Dressage by the Sea and announced a further $20,000 would be awarded under the 2019 Incubator Event Fund for the staging of the World Championship Gold Buckle Campdraft in May.
“Willinga Park is truly a one-of-a-kind facility completely unique to the South Coast,” Mrs Hancock said.
“Owner Terry Snow and his team have done an amazing job, creating an equine park with state-of-the-art facilities for horses and riders alike all while enhancing and protecting the local environment.
“Hosting events helps shine a bright light on the South Coast while putting more heads on beds, diners in our restaurants and shoppers in our boutiques and I’m delighted that Willinga Park has secured a total of $40,000 in funding from the NSW Government.
“Willinga Park will play a key role in encouraging visitors to stay longer in our region, helping to fuel our economy, so this funding in support of Willinga Park will see local businesses benefit as well.
“More activity across our region means boosted local economies and more jobs and I’m looking forward to welcoming more visitors to the South Coast year round as a result of this NSW Government support.
“Whether you are an event owner, tour operator, accommodation provider or attraction owner, we’re working hard to make it easier for you to access vital grants to get your initiative off the ground and to get tourism booming more than ever before.
“I congratulate Terry Snow on the execution of his vision for Willinga Park and look forward to the benefits it will continue to bring to the South Coast community,” Mrs Hancock said.
Both grants are in addition to a further $20,000 awarded to assist in the marketing of this year’s Seechange Jervis Bay Arts Festival to be held in June.