After a successful 2024 Nellijam concert featuring The Choirboys over the weekend, the South Coast music festival announced it has received government funding.
The event held at Nelligen’s Steampacket Hotel and now in its 14th year received a federal government grant worth $23,903.
Festival Director from Freedawg Promotions, Danny Freeman, told East Coast he had only been allowed to talk about it from this week.
“We have been under embargo so we couldn’t even tell people at the event itself that we’d recieved it,” Freeman said.
“We really did want to thank our local member and the government, in all our time, this is the first grant for Nellijam, so it’s really good for us,” he said.
Freeman said the money went towards purchasing six 6x4m marquees that could be set up quickly to keep people under cover if it rains, a professional misting machine to keep attendees cool as well professional Nellijam signage, all of which was used at this year’s event on Saturday (January 13).
“We decided we didn’t really want cash injetions but infrastructure injections instead for Nellijams so we have stuff that’s going to make the event better,” Freeman said.
Mr Freeman said they’ll now look forward to utilising the equipment at their next event, the Winter Break Country Party, in September 2024.
The boost for Nellijam forms part of $2.5 million in federal government support across the nation, under the latest round of the Live Music Australia program.
Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips said the much-needed support will ‘keep the music jammin’ for locals and visitors alike.
“The South Coast has so much to offer, and our ever-growing live music scene is just one way to soak up a bit of fun and frivolity in the country – what could be better,” Ms Phillips said.
“Helping this important industry get back on its feet, while also supporting local artists and events, and drawing visitors back to our region, has never been more important,” she said.
The Live Music Australia program is a competitive grants opportunity for live music venues, festivals and organisations that support quality original Australian live music.
The next round of funding through the Live Music Australia program, opens in February 2024, and will target small to medium live music venues.
In other live music news across the Far South Coast, after rocking out in Moruya last night, The Rubens are bringing their Good Mood Tour to Merimbula’s Club Sapphire tonight (Friday January 19) and the Mallacoota Golf Club tomorrow night (Saturday January 20).
And the Bega Sound Collective and Canelo Arts are putting on the ultimate pool party at the Candelo Pool from 5pm-9pm tonight.
Dive In The Deep End will feature an all female DJ line up including Achee Breakee Hart, Soul Trader, RosieRose, Sista M and LAWX.
Tickets for the alcohol free event are $15 per person with attendees asked to BYO picnic and swimmers.
Images: Justin’s Photo Works, Neliijam Festival
