Rick Gonsalves from Saltwater Freshwater Festival said, “If you’ve never applied for a grant before, I would say, ‘Don’t be put off by the process.’ The good thing, from my experience, is that funding bodies like Aboriginal Affairs NSW have plenty of resources and people to help you.”
“They have FAQ documents and people you can call to ask for assistance.”
“The most important thing, in terms of your application, is to show the value and importance of your proposed program for Aboriginal Communities.”
About this year’s Cultural Grants
The Saltwater Freshwater Festival was one of more than 60 events supported by Aboriginal Affairs NSW through its 2023-24 Cultural Grants program.
Applications for 2024-25 Cultural Grants program are now open, with grants between $500 and $20,000 available for Aboriginal organisations.
About the Saltwater Freshwater Festival
Thousands of people came together on Dunghutti Country earlier this year for the Saltwater Freshwater Festival, a huge celebration of Aboriginal cultures.
Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance, a non-for-profit Aboriginal arts and cultural organisation based at Coffs Harbour, organised the annual event.
Rick Gonsalves from Saltwater Freshwater Alliance said, “Our festival brings together Aboriginal people and communities from the nations we represent – Worimi, Biripi, Dunghutti and Gumbaynggirr. It’s a terrific community event which is free and open to the public so people can experience and learn more about the Aboriginal cultures of the Mid North Coast.”
The festival, held in July in Kempsey, featured musical performances and cultural dances, a yarning tent with panel discussions, and canoe making, weaving and language workshops.
The event was rescheduled from June in Smithtown due to a torrential rain event.
“There was genuine appreciation and gratitude that we were able to reschedule and successfully deliver this much-loved event,” Rick said.
“It was devastating when we had to call off of the initial event date but pulled together and worked with the Kempsey community which led to a wonderful celebration with more than 3,000 people in attendance.”
Learn more about Aboriginal Affairs NSW 2024-25 Cultural Grants
