The world premiere in Portland this August of a symphony celebrating the Great South West Walk is being supported with a $4000 Victorian Government grant announced by the Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney.
“Twelve years ago the local community investigated the possibility of finding a composer to write a work for the Great South West Walk – “A Symphony in Four Movements: The Forest, The River, The Bays and The Cliffs”,” Ms Tierney said.
“In 2005, a sub-Committee of Music Glenelg Inc. was formed to bring what has been the dream of the founders of “The Walk” to fruition.
“Melbourne contemporary Composer Dindy Vaughan was commissioned to write the Choral Symphony, and the world premiere of his composition will be held in Portland on 2 August.”
The one-off cultural event is a community driven project and comprises:
• The premiere performance of a new choral symphony written to celebrate and reflect the Great South West Walk, which is one of the key attractions of the region; and
• Photographic and video representation of the Great South West Walk (GSWW) to accompany the performance.
Ms Tierney said the Victorian Government was supporting the event because it would contribute to local and regional growth by promoting the Great South West Walk, which is a key regional asset and tourism attraction.
“The event will boost off-peak tourism and strengthen partnerships between local community groups through collaboration in planning and staging the event, and small and large businesses through sponsorship and provision of services for the event,” Ms Tierney said.
Ms Tierney said the Victorian Government funding for the $73,563 Discovery Symphony project would be provided to Music Glenelg Inc through the Brumby Government’s Provincial Victoria Local Events Program.
“The Provincial Victoria Local Events Program is part of Moving Forward, the Government’s $502 million plan to make Provincial Victoria the best place to live, work, invest and raise a family,” Ms Tierney said.
“The Government is committed to working in partnership with local councils and communities to drive new growth and investment opportunities across provincial Victoria.”