By Margaret Maccoll
Mayor Clare Stewart concluded the NOOSA alive! festival on Saturday by promising to advocate for extra funding to support the wonderful arts festival established by David and Kristin Williamson and friends 20 years ago.
“I will be advocating strongly for increased funding support from Noosa Council for next year’s event. Further support of our cultural and arts sector is key and I stand firmly with NOOSA alive! in my commitment to advocate for more funding from council,” she said.
“With the challenges of Covid, border closures and the region struggling with the loss of tourists, it was fantastic to see world class performers playing to sold out shows over the 10 day festival and I intend to give NOOSA alive! extra support to ensure 2022 and beyond is even more successful than this year’s event.
“There were more than 20 live performances with over 6000 people attending the sold out events. I was lucky enough to attend the Trent Dalton literary event in March as well as three of the shows in July and had friends and council colleagues attend other events. The events are world class. NOOSA alive! brought laughter, tears, happiness and much needed joy to the community and I believe Noosa Council can do more to help them with their wonderful festival.”
NOOSA alive! president Andrew Stafford said he couldn’t have been happier with the outcome of this year’s festival and to have Mayor Stewart’s support and hope that this finally results in increased funding from Noosa Council.
“Extra funding allows us to expand the festival and take pressure off our not for profit entity and the volunteers that sit on our committee,“ he said.
“We have always had a strong arts following and the support of patrons and corporate sponsors has enabled us to scrape by year on year. Support from Noosa Council will be invaluable for us in ensuring the 20th anniversary next year is a massive success.”
The world of arts and culture is alive and buzzing in Noosa after a 20-year strong NOOSA alive! performed their way through the 10-day arts and cultural festival with more than 20 live performances and more than 6000 tickets, showcasing artists who were grateful to perform their craft after a difficult 18 months for the industry. Noosa Alive was started in 2002 by David Williamson AO, his beautiful wife Kristin Williamson and a group of friends and has been wonderfully supported by the community ever since.
“The festival captured the best of Noosa with events on the beach, jazz in Noosa Woods, comedy, Queensland Ballet, Cirque Bon Bon at the J and Up for Grabs at Noosa Arts amongst many others, it was just a wonderful event. 2022 promises so much. More than ever we need to stay connected and the NOOSA alive! program gives all ages the ability to meet, interact and feel,” Mr Stafford said. Visit noosaalive.com.au for further information.
