Youth comedy workshop funded

A comedy-writing workshop for young people has received $4114 in Federal Government funding as part of the proposed Spike Milligan Comedy Festival, due to be held on October 4 and 5.

Professional writers will work with children and young people in four half-day workshops to develop skills of humorous writing inspired by the life of Spike Milligan, based at the Spike Milligan Room at the Woy Woy Library, which is developing its Spike Milligan collection.

The workshop will be held in the week leading up to the actual festival.

A professional performer will present a program of readings based on the participants work in the environs of the library at intervals during the two days of the Festival.

Federal Member for Robertson, Mr Jim Lloyd, making the funding announcement, said that "if successful, it is proposed that the comedy festival will become an annual event".

He said the event could attract visitors from all over Australia and internationally "helping to support local businesses and most importantly create ongoing local employment".

Press release, May 26