Gavin Pearce (Braddon, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The opening ceremony of the Ten Days on the Island festival will be bigger and better than ever thanks to a $95,000 boost from the federal government. In 2021 Ten Days on the Island will celebrate its 20th anniversary. In that time it has establishing itself as one of Australia's leading arts and cultural events. It is based in the great city of Burnie in my electorate of Braddon. The festival routinely hosts world-renowned artists and performers whilst also providing young and aspiring Tasmanian artists with a platform to showcase their craft. Ten Days on the Island Artistic Director, Lindy Hume, said the festival was delighted to receive the funding, which will allow them to deliver Mapali, the dawn gathering, the opening event for Ten Days on the Island in 2021.

The biannual festival has become a major feature on Australia's events calendar, drawing thousands of local and interstate visitors. The flow-on effects are equally important. This will provide retail and hospitality businesses across the north-west with a timely boost as we come out of the COVID-19 pandemic. I can't wait to join the community on the Burnie foreshore at dawn on 5 March to share this marvellous cultural celebration and welcome the sunrise.