Keeping the dream alive.
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That will be the focus for organisers of the Dubbo Dream Festival who want the Dubbo City Council to reconsider a decision to drop funding of the event.
The community festival, launched in 2011, attracted more than 11,000 attendances in 2014 with a range of entertainment including theatre, dance, visual arts, music and outdoor events.
The Dream received council funding of $140,000 and will get another $40,000 this year.
But, the council confirmed it will not fund it next year.
The organisers, who are all volunteers, feel the council decision is wrong-footed and ironic, given such a festival was in the top 10 ideas for the council’s Community Strategic Plan for 2036.
The idea was to develop an iconic festival or event and promote artistic and creative expression in the community.
Dream has grown each year.
The council has not said why funding will not continue.
The volunteers are disappointed.
Council was a major contributor and the festival’s future is now in serious doubt - at a development stage they consider critical.
Having done the hard yards of creating the event and increasing community participation, it does not appear sensible to have it fail.
Organisers were presenting their argument to council last night. The response will be closely watched.
If the council has concerns about the Dream’s value to the community it should spell them out, get answers and work with organisers to keep it alive.