Chamber welcomes festival support

The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce president Mr Matthew Wales has welcomed Council's decision on the night of Tuesday, July 3, to back the Brisbane Water Oyster Festival in a $10,000 partnership arrangement with the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.

"This is great news for the Oyster Festival Event," said Mr Wales.

"With the increasing difficulty in raising sponsorship dollars and in light of the recent decision by Central Coast Tourism to cancel the Flora Festival, the Council recognised the need to support the Brisbane Water Oyster Festival which attracts over 25,000 people annually to Ettalong Beach.

"The Chamber is grateful to the personal backing of mayor Laurie Maher who put the proposal to Council's meeting on Tuesday night.

"The event was touch and go this year but Council's partnership agreement with the Chamber and commitments from the Ettalong Beach Club as a major sponsor have now secured the event for another year.

"As a result of this decision, the Chamber will also be looking to lock in the support of its other traditional sponsors.

"This is one of the largest community events on the Central Coast and is one of very few festivals that directly showcase a local industry.

"The event is built around the local oyster industry and gives growers the opportunity to showcase and sell their products.

"It is also a very important event for promoting Ettalong Beach and the Woy Woy Peninsula.

"For the first time last year, Sydney TV stations were actively encouraging their viewers to come to the event and enjoy the local area.

"Without the continuing support by our local Council and businesses in the area, these types of events will quickly be lost due to the high running and administrative costs.

"We will also be looking for promotional support from Central Coast Tourism to ensure that the event gains wide coverage in the Sydney metro area," said Mr Wales.

Media Release, 5 Jul 2012

Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

Photo: Naomi Bridges