Canberra Show and Tuggeranong Festival to benefit from Centenary Fund

ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher today announced that the Royal Canberra Show and the Tuggeranong Community Festival are the latest initiatives to benefit from the ACT Government's Centenary Community Initiatives Fund.

With just one year to go until Canberra's 100th birthday the two popular events join eight other exciting activities that have previously been supported through the Fund.

"The ACT Government is offering a total of $1 million to community-driven projects that showcase both what is new and what is already special about our nation's capital," the Chief Minister said.

"As families are enjoying this year's Royal Canberra Show, which starts today, they can look forward to an even bigger and better show next year. The 2013 event will receive $100,000 to showcase the last 100 years from a farming, agricultural and community perspective.

Highlights of the ‘One Hundred' themed celebration at the 2013 Royal Canberra Show will include the introduction of a food and wine section for local produce, a sideshow alley with vintage rides and a boxing tent, a stockman's hall of fame and a salute to the role of heavy horses in the development of early Canberra.

"In addition to the funding for the Show, the Tuggeranong Community Festival has been granted $16,693 from the Centenary Community Initiatives Fund towards the Footsteps to Follow project, which will recognise the contribution of 100 Tuggeranong residents, community groups, associations and businesses," the Chief Minister said.

"Members of the community will have the opportunity to nominate worthy recipients who will be recognised with a commemorative plaque in Tuggeranong Town Park, while a time capsule will also be buried on site.

"I am pleased we are able to offer even more organisations the opportunity and support to mark this important milestone in our history, and I urge any other interested individuals, community, arts, sporting or cultural groups and clubs to consider applying for support to stage their Centenary activities," the Chief Minister concluded.

To date, the Centenary's community fund has received a total of 39 applications for a wide range of projects. The fund remains open until 30 June 2012 or until all available monies have been committed.

For more information, including guidelines and an application form, visit http://www.canberra100.com.au/ or phone the Community Engagement team on (02) 6205 2420.