Community
18 August, 2026
Cash boost for local events
FOUR major Warrnambool events will each receive $20,000 through Warrnambool City Council’s 2026-2-27 Festival and Events Fund.
The festival and events fund will see 28 events share in a total $196,632.
Those to receive $20,0000 (through the fund’s Partnership Stream) include the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic, the Victorian Junior Youth/Senior Lifesaving Championships, Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Festival, and Warrnambool Racing Club’s May Racing Carnival and Jericho Cup.
The grants aim to support events which contribute to the local economy and build the profile of Warrnambool as a vibrant regional city.
Warrnambool mayor Cr Ben Blain said the successful applications represented a diverse mix of sporting, cultural, tourism and community events.
“Events play such an important role in creating a vibrant city; they attract visitors, support local businesses and give people opportunities to come together,” he said.
“It was really encouraging to receive so many applications from people and organisations working to deliver events in Warrnambool.
“Long-running events like the May Racing Carnival, the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic and the Melbourne to Warrnambool are true destination events. Warrnambool wouldn’t be the same without them, and as a council, we’re proud to back them.”
Cr Blain said council was also supporting six established events through the fund for the first time.
“It’s really pleasing to see the Surf ‘T’ Surf returning to the Warrnambool events calendar,” he said.
“Council has been a long-term supporter of the event, and its absence in 2026 was felt by many, so congratulations to everyone involved in bringing it back for 2027.
“Collectively, the 28 events funded via these grants are expected to attract over 100,000 participants and spectators over the coming year.”
Warrnambool RSL Sub-Branch will receive $12,000 to support Remembrance Day 2026 and ANZAC Day 2027.
Other large community events to receive funding include the Warrnambool Multicultural Festival ($10,000), Warrnambool Show ($10,000), Surf ‘T’ Surf Fun Run/Walk ($9,990), Warrnambool Running Festival ($9,186), Warrnambool Rodeo ($7,000), the F Project’s Fabric of Life Festival ($6,500) and the Warrnambool Lawn Tennis Open ($6,000).
A further 16 community, tourism and Christmas events will share almost $46,000, with individual grants ranging from $1,242 to $5,000.
To find out more about upcoming events in Warrnambool, visit whatson.warrnambool.vic.gov.au.
The 2026/2027 Warrnambool Festivals and Events Fund recipients are:
• Warrnambool Gem Club (Open Day) $2,000.
• Warrnambool Gift Inc, $4,000.
• Warrnambool and District Orchid Society (orchid show) $2,000.
• Warrnambool Nepalese Community Inc. (Nepalese Teej Celebration 2026) $2,000.
• Warrnambool and District Easter Arts Festival Inc. (family fun day) $2,000.
• Warrnambool and District Community Hospice (Warrnibald Festival of Arts) $5,000.
• Warrnambool Community Garden (Harfest 2027) $5,000.
• City of Warrnambool Eisteddfod Inc. (Aria competition 50th anniversary celebration) $5,000.
• Filipino Community Council of Warrnambool Incorporated (Filipino Fiesta Warrnambool) $4,800.
• Warrnambool Running Club Inc. (running festival) $9,186.
• Surf ‘T’ Surf (fun run/walk) $9,990.
• Warrnambool Lawn Tennis Club Inc,(tennis Open 2027) $6,000.
• The F Project (Fabric of Life Festival 2027) $6,500.
• Warrnambool Volleyball Association/South West Pirates (seaside volleyball tournament) $4,000.
• Warrnambool Agricultural Society Inc. (Warrnambool Show 2026) $10,000.
• Warrnambool Showgrounds Reserve Inc. (Warrnambool Rodeo 2027) $7,000.
• Warrnambool Multicultural Association (multicultural festival 2026) $10,000.
• Australia Classic Events (Targa Classica 2027) $2,160.
• Warrnambool BMX Club Inc. (2027 AusCycling BMX state series) $2,254.
• Warrnambool Basketball Incorporated (junior seaside tournament) $1,242.
