Inverell Shire Council, partnering with Yetman Hall and Progress Association, successfully accessed funding from the Australian Government’s Drought Communities Program to deliver the inaugural Yetman Music Festival. Held over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend in 2019, the Festival provided drought affected residents with an uplifting experience and attracted more than 400 visitors. The two-day music festival offered family friendly activities and a market for local home-based businesses to showcase and sell their products.
Background
Yetman is a small farming community with a population of just over 100 residents in the New England region of northern New South Wales. Located on the Macintyre River just south of the Queensland border and 701 kilometres north of Sydney, Yetman is located at the intersection of the roads south to Tamworth, east to Tenterfield and north-west to Boggabilla. The Yetman Music Festival was an initiative developed by the Yetman Hall and Progress Association and was designed to support the local economy and provide relief for community members suffering from long-term impacts of the drought. The Association, made up of local residents , small business operators, schoolteachers and artists, developed the initiative and worked in close partnership with Inverell Shire Council to ensure the event was a success.
Implementation
The organising committee partnered with Inverell Shire Council and local businesses including the Codfish Hotel Motel Yetman, Yetman General Store, Yetman Caravan Park and local private campsite “Wongtalea” to ensure visitors as part of the event had access to high quality food and beverage offerings and a variety of nearby accommodation options.
Council managed the grant application process and provided planning and event infrastructure including: traffic management planning for street closures, additional parks and grounds staff for preparation of the event locations, waste management, signage, supply of event marketing materials and support via Council’s social media channels which included a Yetman Music Festival Facebook page.
Outputs
The inaugural music event at Yetman was successful in attracting more than 400 visitors over two days, including visitors from Sydney and Queensland, and provided the local economy with an injection of much needed income. The event also provided opportunities to local artisans and businesses including meat producers, a sculptural artist, food and wine makers and a milliner. It also provided visitors with a great experience in rural NSW.
Outcomes and results
Local small businesses benefited through increased sales and marketing opportunities. The event injected approximately $34,000 into the local economy. Furthermore, the event provided local home-based businesses with additional exposure and sales opportunities.
Costs and funding
The Community Drought funding for this event was $11,000 and was matched by council with in-kind sponsorship.
Key learnings
This event’s success can be attributed to the positive, collaborative partnership between the council, the wider community and local businesses.
Council Details
Population size: 16,483
LGA size: 8,606 km2
State Electorate: Northern Tablelands
Federal Electorate: New England