Wollongong City Council is looking to support local organisations and community groups in developing community events as part of Council’s Community Event Sponsorship program.

The Community Event Sponsorship program invites organisations or individuals to apply for Council sponsorship of local events which add to the cultural and social diversity of the city.

Council’s Director of Corporate and Community Services (Acting), Greg Doyle, encouraged organisers of both new and already established community events to apply for Council sponsorship.

“Events and festivals are an important part of Wollongong’s cultural life, and add to the city’s vibrancy and diversity,” Mr Doyle said.

“During 2010/11, Council allocated over $90,000 in sponsorship to a broad range of community events including community fairs and events like Spring into Corrimal and the Thirroul Seaside and Arts Festival, locally held State and National sporting events, community Christmas carols and a number of major regional events including the Illawarra Folk Festival.”

“We also provided a further $8,500 for community bands and choirs including the City of Wollongong Brass Band, Illawarra Pipe Band, the Wollongong Welsh Choir and the Illawarra Choral Society to name a few.”

 “We would love to see some new and exciting events added to Wollongong’s social calendar as well, so if you think you have something to offer to the city’s cultural life, make sure you submit an application by 31 May.”

For more information and application forms visit Council’s website at www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au. Alternatively, you can apply by emailing sponsorship@wollongong.nsw.gov.au, or by phoning 4227 7061.

Applications close at 5pm, Tuesday 31 May.