Anne Webster (Mallee, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

While in Horsham recently I had the pleasure of visiting the Horsham Exchange Hotel to let the owners, Nick and Mel Murray, know that they had been successful in a federal government grant for $50,300 from the Live Music Australia program. Mel told me that the funding would be put to good use in refurbishing the outdoor performance area so that the pub could go back to live music events. We're all looking forward to that. COVID has hit the entertainment and hospitality industry hard, and I'm thrilled that the Exchange Hotel has benefited from the Live Music Australia program.

Round 2 of the program has funded venues in every state and territory, from remote outback pubs to clubs and theatres in major capital cities, assisting them to reopen as restrictions on public gatherings and live music performances are lifted. The funding provides critical support for local live music venues and supports local communities and economies to emerge from the pandemic once more.

The Exchange Hotel will be able to once again program music events that will feature local artists. This critical funding will also assist the Exchange Hotel to create safe and inclusive places for artists and audiences. Being one of just a handful of live music venues in the Wimmera region, the Exchange is vital to the local community and is just one example of why arts in regional Australia is so special. I will continue to advocate for it. (Time expired)