Steph Cooke MP
Member for Cootamundra

Steph Cooke MP and Sam Perry (Junee Shire Council) for the Canola Gateway Festival Junee has secured a $20,000 boost through the 2026/27 Regional Event Fund to support the launch of the inaugural Canola Gateway Festival, marking a major milestone for the region’s tourism offering. The funding recognises Junee as a destination of choice for new and emerging events, backing the community’s vision to create a vibrant celebration of the Riverina’s iconic canola season. Member

Steph Cooke MP with Paul Best (Mayor), Matthew Sykes (GM Weddin Shire), Sean Haylan (GM Destination NSW Central West), Belinda Power (HLF President) and committee members at the Henry Lawson Monument, Grenfell. The Henry Lawson Festival has received a major boost, with the iconic Grenfell event awarded $30,000 per year for three years through the Regional Event Fund 2026. Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the funding was a significant win for Grenfell and a reflection

Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, is encouraging local event organisers to apply for funding to support both established and new events across the electorate. The Destination NSW Regional Event Fund has been created to support events in regional areas with the potential to become a flagship tourism event, attracting overnight visitors and delivering long-term benefits to the region. Ms Cooke is encouraging local organisers, associations, councils, and community groups

Thursday, 9 March 2023 Event-goers across the electorate can soon experience more fun and enjoyment thanks to the opening of the NSW...

​​Tuesday, 16 November 2021​ The NSW Government will invest more than $8 million in a suite of grant programs to accelerate the recovery of the NSW visitor economy as the state reopens to visitors. Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the funding was great news for the local visitor economy and would support tourism businesses across the Cootamundra electorate as life after COVID-19 restrictions resumed. “More than ever, our visitor economy needs support to build on th

​​Wednesday, 20 October 2021​ Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke welcomes the NSW Government’s $200 million Regional Recovery Package, which will support the creation of new jobs and attract tourists back to the bush. Ms Cooke said the new package includes a new $50 million Regional Events Package, $30 million Regional Jobs Creation Fund Round Two and $40 million for priority infrastructure projects across Regional NSW. “The new $25 million Community Events Package will help

​​Monday, 30 November 2020​ Harden-Murrumburrah will receive a welcome boost to tourism with the Harden Kite Festival sharing in the NSW Government’s $1 million 2020 Regional Event Fund. The NSW Government, through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, will provide funding to 59 event organisers across the state to deliver events that will attract visitors and drive economic activity for local businesses. The Festival has been awarded a $10,000 grant to assist

​​Monday, 19 October 2020​ The Temora Aviation Museum opened its doors over the weekend for a two day showcase, giving aviation buffs the chance to see some of Australia’s military aviation on display. The showcase was the Museum’s COVID-safe event, in lieu of the Warbirds Downunder Airshow, which has been postponed. Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke announced the NSW Government would be supporting the flagship event through the $1 million 2020 Regional Event Fund. The

​​Monday, 13 July 2020​ The Cowra Christmas Street Festival has been given a boost from the NSW Government’s $1 million 2020 Regional Event Fund. A $10,000 grant has been awarded to assist in the delivery of the festival in 2020, or in 2021 should the event be cancelled. Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the investment recognised the difficulties COVID-19 restrictions have placed on many of the region’s major events and tourist attractions. “The Christmas Street Fes

​​Tuesday, 9 October 2018​ Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke is calling for organisers of all new events planned to be held in the Cootamundra electorate from January to June next year to apply for grants of up to $20,000 to help attract more visitors and boost local economies. Ms Cooke said the 2019 Incubator Event Fund offers annual grants to events in rural and regional NSW to assist in areas such as marketing, public relations, venue hire and attendee research. “Our ru

February 23, 2018 Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke is encouraging dreamers to get their events off the ground by applying for new funding for regional initiatives. The NSW Government’s 2018 Incubator Event Fund supports new and second year events held in rural and regional NSW between July and December 2018. “The fund offers a one-off grant of up to $20,000 to assist with activities such as marketing, public relations, venue hire and attendee research,” Ms Cooke said. “Th