funding · Orange City Council
Orange council refuses $5,000 festival bid, backs agriculture conference
Orange City Council’s Finance Policy Committee refused $5,000 for Back to Buckinbah Festival but approved $1,250 for the Australian Women in Agriculture National Conference.
Orange City Council’s Finance Policy Committee split its event funding on 3 March, refusing a $5,000 request for Back to Buckinbah Festival and approving $1,250 for the Australian Women in Agriculture National Conference at the civic centre in Byng Street, Orange.
The festival application was for Liveability Stream funding for Back to Buckinbah Festival - July 2026. The conference grant was approved under the Visitor Economy Stream for the Australian Women in Agriculture National Conference, which runs from 27 to 29 July 2026.
The committee also agreed to hear and vote on the community donation items separately.
It then approved $500 for the Country Women's Association Central Western Group for the Public Speaking Competition, $500 for Orange Lacemakers for 20 beginner lace-making lessons and two portable stands, and $2,000 for Anson Street School to cover the cost of 10 Year 7-8 students taking part in five workshops organised by local artists selected by Arts OutWest.
A further $283 was approved for the Orange Region Suicide Prevention Network for branded tablecloths to use at community events.
Two requests were cut back from their original amounts. Orange United Sports Club asked for $2,500 for a ball machine for inclusive goalkeeper training for all ages and abilities, but council approved $1,250. Lions Club of Orange sought $2,148 for specialised medical equipment, but the committee approved $1,074.
The votes were not unanimous on the reduced items. On the Orange United Sports Club motion, Cr J Whitton, Cr G Power and Cr D Mallard voted against the amendment. On the Lions Club of Orange item, Cr J Whitton, Cr T Greenhalgh, Cr F Kinghorne, Cr K Duffy and Cr G Judge voted against the amendment before the reduced amount was carried.
The meeting opened in the council chamber, Civic Centre, Byng Street, Orange, at 6.58pm and closed at 7.31pm.
Reference minutes
Based on the Orange City Council Finance Policy Committee minutes for 3 March 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- Orange City Council’s Finance Policy Committee met on 3 March 2026 at the civic centre in Byng Street, Orange.
- Council did not approve $5,000 for Back to Buckinbah Festival under the Liveability Stream.
- Council approved $1,250 for the Australian Women in Agriculture National Conference under the Visitor Economy Stream.
- The Country Women’s Association Central Western Group received $500 for a public speaking competition.
- Orange Lacemakers received $500 for beginner lace-making lessons and two portable stands.
- Anson Street School received $2,000 for Year 7 and 8 students to attend five workshops with local artists selected by Arts OutWest.
- Orange United Sports Club received $1,250, and Lions Club of Orange received $1,074, after both requests were reduced from their original amounts.
Why it matters
- Orange groups, schools and clubs received a mix of full and reduced support, while one July festival missed out and a national agriculture conference won visitor economy funding.