ORANGE New Year's Eve celebration’s organiser says full funding support from Orange City Council will pave the way for a bigger and better event this year.
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Councillors passed the 2016-17 budget on Tuesday night, expanding the recommended sponsorship amount for the McCormack Barber Party Under the Stars from $10,445 to $22,727.
The higher amount was McCormack Barber’s initial request for 2016 after principal Peter McCormack flagged sponsorship rates elsewhere in the community were dropping and it was not possible for the real estate business to organise the event in-house.
Mr McCormack said he was thrilled councillors had decided to fund the full amount.
“Those funds were absolutely crucial to making the event happen,” he said.
This year will be the first McCormack Barber will not have to apply for further support closer to the event, after having done so in 2014 and 2015.
Both years, council staff noted a resolution in 2011, which suggested initial grants of $30,000 should be gradually reduced as the event gained traction.
The council has donated $30,000 each year until last year when it dropped to $17,385, plus $5000-worth of in-kind support.
Mr McCormack said having the full $22,727 up front would potentially mean being able to secure further sponsorship.
“We put in most of the man hours in the last six weeks, but we can now put it in over six months and we can potentially work with other organisers so it becomes bigger and better than last year,” he said.
Last year, the event and Orange Canobolas Lions Club raised $7500 for a bone marrow harvester and a portable blood pressure monitor at Orange Health Service.