General News
14 August, 2025
Funding for Nati Frinj Biennale 2025
The Horsham Rural City Council has approved the allocation of $72,938 for 27 Community Events Grants at its July 28 council meeting.
This HRCC funding will enhance and support many different not-for-profit community groups in the HRCC municipality.
Community Grants are allocated through four separate grant streams, each with unique funding rounds, guidelines, application forms and reporting requirements.
The Arapiles Community Theatre Inc (ACT) is one of the recipients that received $6538 for its Nati Frinj Biennale 2025 festival, which has been running for more than two decades.
Festival director Alison Eggleton said the group is thrilled to have received this grant.
"The ACT Natimuk team is especially grateful to the HRCC Events team for their ongoing support," she said.
"Their backing means so much to us, particularly for our flagship event, the Nati Frinj Biennale, which has been running for over 20 years.
"The grant will directly support our marketing and production efforts, including the provision of vital services like St John's First Aid during the Nati Frinj Biennale 2025, our largest and most ambitious arts event."
Ms Eggleton said more than 200 people will be positively impacted by our flagship event this year.
"As a not-for-profit, ACT Natimuk is always working to strike a balance between community engagement and supporting the professional practice of regional artists," she said.
"This funding helps us continue delivering meaningful programs for our Natimuk community, which places us on the map.
"We estimate that around 2500 people will be positively impacted through this grant and the programming it supports."
Ms Eggleton said the funding will strengthen the capacity to deliver the event this year and also thanked the council for its support.
"It gives us the confidence and capability to keep delivering dynamic, inclusive, and creative events," she said.
"It also reinforces the value of local arts organisations and the role we play in enriching community life.
"We'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the HRCC and everyone who continues to support ACT Natimuk."
Ms Eggleton encouraged the community to keep an eye on the Nati Frinj Biennale 2025 program launch in September, as the ACT members can't wait to share it.
The 2025 Nati Frinj Biennale festival will run from October 31 to November 2.
Horsham Calisthenics College, Black Hole Theatre, SmartArtz Theatre Inc, Wimmera Music Eisteddfod Inc, Old Skool Hotrod and Custom Club, Operation 19:14, Horsham Rural City Band, and Natimuk Agricultural and Pastoral Society Inc are among the 27 recipients receiving various funding boosts for their projects.
The council approved $61,900 and $11,083 of the Community Event Grants to various community groups across the shire, with and without conflict of interest from the councillors.
The HRCC allocated $231,684 at the May 26 council meeting in the 2025-26 budget for approved community grants and donations across different categories, including $137,684 for Community Development Grants, $7300 for Community Events Grants, $10,000 for Youth Grants, and $11,000 for Urgent Need Small Grants.
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