{"id":3119,"date":"2019-06-24T17:12:53","date_gmt":"2019-06-24T17:12:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/?p=3119"},"modified":"2019-06-24T17:12:53","modified_gmt":"2019-06-24T17:12:53","slug":"city-backs-diverse-events-calendar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/2019\/06\/24\/city-backs-diverse-events-calendar\/","title":{"rendered":"City backs diverse events calendar"},"content":{"rendered":"

A historic rugby Test, an eclectic music festival and a legendary bikers\u2019 charity ride are among a range of the events to be staged in Newcastle over the next 12 months with $180,000 funding support from the City.
\nThe Wallaroos rugby team, which will\u00a0play Japan at No.2 Sportsground<\/a>\u00a0in the national women\u2019s first standalone match on Saturday 13 July, was among 17 recipients officially congratulated today for gaining support under City of Newcastle\u2019s 2019\/20 Event Sponsorship Program (ESP).
\n\"ESPgroupinside.jpg\"All successful ESP recipients at City Hall this morning\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\"ESPprideinside-(1).jpg\"
\nNewcastle Pride Festival\u00a0celebrates sexuality and gender diversity in Newcastle and the Hunter<\/strong>
\n“I want to congratulate all of our successful events,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said at this morning\u2019s presentation at City Hall.
\n“The quality and variety of this year\u2019s applications was remarkable. I\u2019m always impressed by the many fantastic events showcasing our city, big and small, and both new and well established.
\n\u201cOver the next 12 months, we will welcome a range of major events kicking off with a celebration of women\u2019s sport when we host the Wallaroos and Japan at No.2, which will hopefully be the first of annual Wallaroos fixtures here.
\n\u201cIt will be followed by the Newcastle Music Festival and Newcastle Pride festivals in August, with funding for both building on the back of their previous successes.\u201d
\n\"KingofConcreteinside.jpg\"Angus and Max Owens will ride in the King of Concrete event in December<\/strong>
\n\"ESPWallaroosinside.jpg\"Wallaroos winger Mahalia Murphy accepting Rugby Australia’s cheque from Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes\u00a0<\/strong>
\nWallaroos winger Mahalia Murphy, a former sevens rugby specialist who was selected for next months\u2019 Test on Friday, was all smiles collecting a $20,000 cheque on behalf of her teammates.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s a great thrill to be in Newcastle to receive the funding from the City to raise the profile of women\u2019s rugby here,\u201d Murphy said, \u201cand an even bigger thrill knowing I\u2019ll be coming back in three weeks\u2019 time to play a Test.\u201d
\nESP support was also extended to major cultural and charitable events.
\nMore than 350 performers will play 34 gigs next month at multiple venues across the city as part of the fourth, annual\u00a0Newcastle Music Festival<\/a>, which received $10,000.
\n\"ESPNewcastleBikersforKidsinside.jpg\"Darren Young and Stephen Meeks representing Newcastle Bikers for Kids, which is in its 40th year of service<\/strong>
\nThe same figure will aid the 40th<\/sup>\u00a0return of the\u00a0Newcastle Bikers for Kids<\/a>\u00a0convoy, which sees toy-toting motorcyclists snake their way from Stockton to Wickham, in support of the Salvation Army\u2019s Christmas Appeal on 1 December.
\nOther ESP recipients to benefit from the $180,000 in funding include:<\/p>\n