Festival seeks state cash for highland fling

PORTARLINGTON’S National Celtic Festival is seeking State Government funding of a Celtic exchange program for young musicians, according to its director.
Una McAlinden said she planned to work with Scottish organisation Feis Ros to send about six to eight young Australians to Scotland for a traditional music immersion.
“It will be a two-year project. We’ll bring out here the CEO and artistic director of Feis Rois from the highlands of Scotland for an expanded workshop program.
“Then the second year the Australians will go over to perform with the Scottish.”
Ms McAlinden said program would be a “pilot project for other countries” aimed at sustaining traditional culture in Australia.
“We’re so far removed. You can’t just go down to the local pub and be steeped in tradition.”
Ms McAlinden said the National Celtic Festival had applied for numerous State Government grants to facilitate the festival’s growth.
A new marquee and a redesign of the festival’s layout would create more space for free attractions.
“We’re looking at bringing more to the site for people who want to come and have a look rather than committing to buying a ticket. Celtic martial arts and historical re-enactment groups need a bit of room,” Ms McAlinden said.
Member for South Barwon Andrew Katos in parliament last month urged Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher to “consider a favourable response” to the festival’s grant submissions.
“The event … continues to grow, with recent festivals attracting record crowds: 15,000 people in 2010, 16,000 in 2011 and over 17,000 people at the 2012 festival.”