BLUES ARTIST: Diesel will perform in Wangaratta for the first time at this year’s jazz festival.

Council’s $55,000 sponsorship, volunteers lauded

Written by Steven Burke.

THE Wangaratta Jazz Festival is still on the lookout for a major sponsor.

But organisers remain hopeful of finding a replacement for the TAC, which ended its relationship with the festival in 2007.

Festival chairperson, Patti Bulluss, told the Wangaratta Chronicle yesterday the support of other sponsors, including the Rural City of Wangaratta, had helped ensure the festival’s success over recent years.

"We haven’t been able to replace the TAC as yet," she said.

"We are still looking for a sponsor that will give us the right mix and we’re hopeful we’ll be able to find one."

Council will contribute $55,000 towards this year’s festival - an increase of $5000 over the previous year which largely guarantees the popular Reid Street program.

"We have a fantastic working relationship with the council," Ms Bulluss said.

"One thing a lot of people don’t realise is that many of the council staff actually give up their time on festival weekend to work as volunteers."

Ms Bulluss paid credit to the volunteers on Wednesday night, at a launch for Australia’s premier jazz event of October 29 to November 1.

"As good as any program is, without the volunteers, this festival just wouldn’t happen," she said.

"They are the fabric of this festival and they really give it heart and soul."

And in terms of this year’s festival, Ms Bulluss said it was going to be some party.

"This is our 21st year, and we intend on celebrating it like any other 21st birthday," she said.