Council cuts back

By Bridget Brady
CASEY council this week came up with an eleventh-hour reprieve for arts groups after their funding was halved.
Representatives from nine different arts groups in Casey filled the council chambers on Tuesday night after they discovered their funding had been cut from $5000 to $2500.
River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith, who is a staunch arts advocate, said he shared the shock of members of the groups who expected they would received $5000 again this year.
“I made the mistake of not checking it and I was alerted to it,” Cr Smith said.
The council amended the matter at this week’s meeting and raised the funding to $3,750.
“It’s not the outcome I wanted, but it was better than what it was.”
Cr Smith said the council would continue to look for ways to increase the funding to $5000.
“I don’t want this to happen in the future.”
Director of choir Just Harmony, Marion Stephens, said the group was disappointed they did not receive the full funding, but was grateful some action was taken.
“Wayne Smith is such a wonderful advocate for the arts. We are very grateful for anything they can give us,” Ms Stephens said.
The choir relied on the support of the council, Ms Stephens said.
“We try to do a lot of work for nothing, so the contribution from the council is vital to us really.”
Secretary of Casey Choir Margaret Moder said her group was encouraged by the efforts of the council.
“We were disappointed we didn’t get the full $5000 but he assures us that he’ll continue to work on our behalf so we’re much encouraged by that,” Ms Moder said.
Casey Pipes and Drums were the only group to receive $5000 after what Cr Smith explained was a long-standing agreement with the council.