ORANGE is reaping the financial benefits of the 65th Annual Australian Jazz Convention despite the numbers being down on original estimates when former Mayor Cr Reg Kidd bid for the event.
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Around 500 delegates from all over Australia, as well as visitors from the United States, Britain and Canada,are staying locally and injecting thousands of dollars into the local economy at a time that is traditionally quiet for accommodation and restaurant facilities.
Chief executive officer of the Orange Ex-Services Club Cameron Provost said hosting events simultaneously in various parts of the club had meant extra shifts for workers at what is traditionally a ‘down time’ for the club.
“Our motel is also fully booked out,” he said.
However Mr Provost said the timing of the convention during public holidays would have a substantial impact on the amount of overtime the club would have to pay employees.
“Of course we will have to look at the big picture, but the club sees this as an important service to the community to provide a venue for this type of event which brings in national and international tourists,” he said.
Orange City Council’s business development officer Tony Boland, who is co-ordinating the event in Orange, said caravan parks are booked out in the city.
“And so are some of the motels,” he said.
However a spokesperson for the Central Caleula Motor Lodge said the motel was about half full.
“We do have some people in from the convention but we haven’t really noticed a big increase in numbers compared to last year,” the spokeswoman said.
During the week the Parkview Hotel and Orange Ex-Services Club have hosted the convention with up to five different programs running simultaneously.
Mr Boland said from the feedback he has received so far the delegates had been impressed with the city.
“They think Cook Park is magnificent and they have been telling us how impressed they are with the trees in the city and its neat and tidy presentation,” he said.
Yesterday morning a big crowd packed the Coral Sea Room of the Orange Ex-Services Club for a feature event of the week-long program, the original composition event.
Taking a break from co-ordinating the event, chair of the convention steering committee Harvey Duff, said the competition is run along strict rules which includes the music having been written within the last two years and sheet music provided for each composition.
“We really are pleased to be here in Orange and everything is going along well,” Mr Duff said.
The convention continues today and sessions are open to the public.
