Gympie Regional Council adopted several items at its Ordinary Meeting on 22 July which included Regional Arts Development Fund Grant Guidelines 2020/2021, Community Development Grant Guidelines 2020/2021, and Annual Gympie Show Holiday 2021.

During today’s meeting, Council adopted the Community Development Grant Guidelines which have been developed to outline the grant categories, application process, eligibility and assessment criteria specific to the Community Development Grants Program.

This program has been created to provide financial assistance to eligible community organisations to deliver projects which respond to community needs, support Council’s strategic objectives and enhance the social and community development of the region.

Council has allocated $185,000 to the program in its 2020/21 budget, with two rounds of funding available in late July 2020 and February 2021.

Council also adopted Regional Arts Development Fund Grant Guidelines 2020/2021 during today’s meeting.

The program is delivered as a partnership between Arts Queensland and Council to invest in and support quality arts and cultural activities in regional Queensland communities.

Council has allocated $40,000 to the program in its 2020/21 budget, with two rounds of funding available in September 2020 and March 2021.

Applications will be prioritised to respond to the impacts on local artists and the community as a result of COVID-19, the recent bushfire, drought and economic recession.

Also during today’s meeting, Council agreed to make an application to the Queensland Treasury for the gazettal of the 2021 Annual Show Holiday for Friday, 14 May 2021 for the Gympie Show.

Council also agreed to make a separate application for Goomeri based on advice from The Goomeri State School P-10 and the Goomeri Parents and Citizens Association for the gazettal of the 2021 Annual Show Holiday for Monday 9 August 2021, being the Monday preceding the Royal Queensland Show Holiday.