City backs diverse events calendar

24 June 2019

A historic rugby Test, an eclectic music festival and a legendary bikers’ charity ride are among a range of the events to be staged in Newcastle over the next 12 months with $180,000 funding support from the City.

The Wallaroos rugby team, which will play Japan at No.2 Sportsground in the national women’s first standalone match on Saturday 13 July, was among 17 recipients officially congratulated today for gaining support under City of Newcastle’s 2019/20 Event Sponsorship Program (ESP).

All successful ESP recipients at City Hall this morning

Newcastle Pride Festival celebrates sexuality and gender diversity in Newcastle and the Hunter

"I want to congratulate all of our successful events," Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said at this morning’s presentation at City Hall.

"The quality and variety of this year’s applications was remarkable. I’m always impressed by the many fantastic events showcasing our city, big and small, and both new and well established.

“Over the next 12 months, we will welcome a range of major events kicking off with a celebration of women’s sport when we host the Wallaroos and Japan at No.2, which will hopefully be the first of annual Wallaroos fixtures here.

“It will be followed by the Newcastle Music Festival and Newcastle Pride festivals in August, with funding for both building on the back of their previous successes.”

Angus and Max Owens will ride in the King of Concrete event in December

Wallaroos winger Mahalia Murphy accepting Rugby Australia's cheque from Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes

Wallaroos winger Mahalia Murphy, a former sevens rugby specialist who was selected for next months’ Test on Friday, was all smiles collecting a $20,000 cheque on behalf of her teammates.

“It’s a great thrill to be in Newcastle to receive the funding from the City to raise the profile of women’s rugby here,” Murphy said, “and an even bigger thrill knowing I’ll be coming back in three weeks’ time to play a Test.”

ESP support was also extended to major cultural and charitable events.

More than 350 performers will play 34 gigs next month at multiple venues across the city as part of the fourth, annual Newcastle Music Festival, which received $10,000.

Darren Young and Stephen Meeks representing Newcastle Bikers for Kids, which is in its 40th year of service

The same figure will aid the 40th return of the Newcastle Bikers for Kids convoy, which sees toy-toting motorcyclists snake their way from Stockton to Wickham, in support of the Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal on 1 December.

Other ESP recipients to benefit from the $180,000 in funding include:

  • Jets W-League side – Newcastle’s colourful tourism logo will be emblazoned across the team’s jerseys for prospective visitors to see on TV and live at stadia in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney ($20,000)
  • Newcastle Harbour Water Polo Festival - Three-day water polo event at Queens Wharf with men’s and women’s internationals between Australia and visiting Croatian and Hungarian teams 13-15 December 2019 ($20,000)
  • Oceania Para Triathlon – Olympic-selection paratriathlon and triathlons for the general public and corporate teams on Australia Day 2020 ($15,000)
  • Port to Port Mountain Bike Race - Four-day stage race attracting national and international riders from 21-24 May 2020 ($15,000)
  • Australian Bowl-riding Championships - National skateboard competition at Empire Park from 7-9 February 2020 (15,000)
  • Celebration of Cricket – Major junior cricket carnival in January 2019 ($10,000)
  • New Run – The popular festival, which offers runners a choice of marathon, 10km, 5km and 2kms, returns for the 14th consecutive year 5 April 2019 ($10,000)
  • Combined Schools ANZAC Service - A nationally unique combined-schools event to commemorating the ANZAC spirit on 10 April 2020 ($8,500)
  • Australia Day Cross Harbour Swim – classic event that sees locals roll the arms over during a pause in shipping ($6,000)
  • Water Industry Operators Conference – 600 delegates will converge on Newcastle for the NSW water industry’s annual conference 4 April 2020 ($5,000)
  • King of Concrete – a state and national level bowl-riding competition at Empire Park on 7 December 2019 ($5,000)
  • Newcastle Pride Festival – Celebration of sexuality and gender diversity in Newcastle and the Hunter from August 17-26 2019 ($4,500)
  • Unity in Diversity – annual festival last weekend in Hamilton celebrating Newcastle’s cultural diversity and spirit of inclusion ($3,000)
  • CN T20 Summer Bash – Elite T20 cricket competition at No.2 Sportsground from 15-23 February 2020 ($2,500)