Funding flows for Fusion Multicultural Street Festival through Wagga Wagga City Council and Riverina Water County Council partnership

The Fusion Multicultural Street Festival’s future is bright with Wagga Wagga City Council and Riverina Water County Council committing a combined $75,000 to the major event each year for the next three years.

Council adopted an ongoing budget commitment of $50,000 at the 25 June Meeting, while Riverina Water will provide $25,000 in sponsorship each year from 2018-20.

“The Fusion Multicultural Festival is founded on a simple and successful philosophy that food, the creative and performing arts are a powerful means of engaging and uniting the whole community,” Council’s Director Community Janice Summerhayes said.

“It is about celebrating the mix of music, dance, food, culture and the creative arts that make our community unique and liveable.

“The funding commitment from Wagga Wagga City Council and major sponsorship from Riverina Water County Council will allow Fusion to continue to grow and be an annual highlight for residents and participants from right across the Riverina and the state.”

Riverina Water County Council General Manager Andrew Crakanthorp said Council was pleased to be re-investing community funds into this major community event.

“Riverina Water County Council has a role to play in strengthening the social fabric of the communities it provides water to,” he said.

“The Board of Riverina Water have made it clear to management that they are keen to pursue opportunities that increase the use of Council supplied water. We see this sponsorship as a major element of the commitment by Council to raise its corporate profile and use customer revenue to re-invest in the future of the communities we serve.”

The Wagga Wagga Local Government Area is home to community members from 112 different countries of origin, who speak 107 languages and practice 62 faiths.

“Wagga Wagga was declared an official Refugee Welcome Zone in 2012, by the Refugee Council of Australia, cementing and enhancing our commitment to cultural and religious diversity,” Ms Summerhayes said.

The 2018 Fusion Multicultural Festival will be held at the Victory Memorial Gardens on Saturday October 20.