Pride WA have announced that they have received a $227,500 grant from Lotterywest. The formal announcement will be made tonight at the gala launch of Pridefest 2013: Rainbow Nation.
The grant is a significant boost to its efforts to stage an exciting calendar of events for 2013/14 and re-build the future capacity of the organisation beyond 2014.
Pride WA Co-President Michelle Rigg said the confirmation of increased financial support from Lotterywest this year was a significant milestone in the organisation’s history.
“Pride WA and the community at large will benefit greatly from this funding and it is clear that the organisation has now turned a corner on its journey to establishing a re-vitalised focus for the organisation as we approach next year’s staging of the 25th annual Pride Parade,” Ms Rigg said in a statement.
Ms Rigg outlined that the funding would be applied to two key areas over the next 12 month period. The organisation will undertake a comprehensive strategic review aimed at clarifying the organisations purpose and improving it’s sustainability. Secondly, the funding will be applied to staging a program of events and services that reflect the needs of the Pride community.
Co-President Daniel Smith attributed the awarding of the major grant to the work of successive committees over many years.
“The awarding of this grant builds on the work of successive committees over the last ten years, which established and developed the relationship between Pride WA and Lotterywest,” Mr Smith said.
“The behind the scenes work of many people on the current Committee of Management cannot be understated. They have worked tirelessly this year to build relationships within the Pride Community, and across the broader community, and this hard work has been recognised by Lotterywest.
“The trust and confidence Lotterywest has shown in the future plans outlined to them by the Pride committee this year, is a clear signal to the wider community that Pride WA has a significant role to play in Western Australia.”
The award of the grant comes after the poor financial performance of Pridefest 2012 which saw the organisation make a significant loss.
PRIDEFEST 2013: Rainbow Nation will commence on 2nd November with a daytime PARADE through Northbridge at 1pm, followed by an all day arts and music CELEBRATION in Russell Square. The festival will run for three weeks to 23rd November.
OIP Staff
