Published on Monday, 27 June 2022 at 3:24:52 PM
Joint Media Release
Hon. Jackie Jarvis MLC, Member for South West Region and City of Busselton
- City of Busselton’s efforts to engage the community in arts, culture and history bolstered by two Lotterywest grants.
- $1.8 million awarded for the creation of community spaces within the Busselton Performing Arts and Convention Centre.
- $18,000 for an augmented reality project to educate the community on the historical significance of the Ballaarat Engine.
The City of Busselton has been awarded a $1.8 million Lotterywest grant to support community connection at the much-anticipated Busselton Performing Arts and Convention Centre.
The funding will contribute towards community spaces within the centre, including:
- Community meeting room
- Fit out of a new gallery with large modular, moveable walls, lighting, audio and digital capability.
- Integration works for the Weld Theatre, seeing improvements to its disabled access, with a lift to the stage; a stage leveller for props, sets; equipment and stage access. Back of house will also see improvements to dressing rooms, the green room, make up area, kitchen and outdoor courtyard.
Once complete the Busselton Performing Arts and Convention Centre will be a first-class facility, attracting major touring shows and events to the region.
The City also received an $18,000 Lotterywest grant for augmented reality interpretation around the Ballaarat Engine.
The interactive experience will educate the community and visitors on the historical significance of the Ballaarat Engine, the oldest surviving Australian-built steam locomotive and the first steam locomotive in Western Australia. It will portray information on parts of the engine, stories, photos and the restoration process.
Comments attributed to Hon. Jackie Jarvis MLC, Member for South West Region:
“I’m thrilled the WA Government, through Lotterywest, can support the creation of community spaces at the Busselton Performing Arts and Convention Centre and the Ballaarat Engine augmented reality project.”
“Arts and cultural activities connect communities, create vibrant, inclusive places and improve community well-being.
“This funding will assist the City of Busselton to ensure BPACC is accessible to the community and a place they can visit to interact with arts and cultural experiences.
“The augmented reality interpretation for the Ballaarat Engine is an exciting way to engage more people in the history of the engine and I’m excited to see it developed.
“I congratulate the City of Busselton on these initiatives and their Lotterywest grant success.”
Comments attributed to City of Busselton Mayor Grant Henley:
“The City has diligently been exploring funding options for both projects and we are very grateful for the State Government’s contribution through Lotterywest.”
“The Busselton Performing Arts and Convention Centre is a major community asset supporting our creative sector. The Lotterywest grant of $1.8 million in funding will ensure we can continue to focus on diversity in the City’s economy, bring jobs, grow tourism and support social cohesion.
“Celebrating its 150th this year, the Ballaarat Engine takes pride of place at Railway House as the centrepiece of an interpretive display and is an incredibly important community asset. The augmented reality project will provide a real connection with the engine’s journey through history.”
Media Contact:
Hon. Jackie Jarvis MLC - Sophie Elliott, 9757 9555
City of Busselton Media – Deborah Holden, 9781 0360
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