Wagga Wagga Filipino community member Annabelle Borja is grateful to have received a share of the Stronger Together Festivals and Events grants for the Sinulog Festival. Photo: Chris Roe.
Two community organisations in Wagga Wagga have been awarded a share of a $500,000 investment dedicated to grassroots festivals and events.
As part of the Stronger Together Festivals and Events grants, Wagga’s Filipino community has received $5000 for its annual Sinulog Festival, while Wagga Wagga City Council’s Fusion Botanical Multicultural Festival has also secured $5000.
The Sinulog Festival, which dates back to 1521, is a cultural and religious event that honours the Child Jesus, showcasing the Filipino people’s history and their transition to Christianity.
Sinulog Festival organiser Annabelle Borja told Region that Wagga’s Filipino community was grateful for the grant.
“Sinulog dance is a tribute to the Child Jesus,” Ms Borja said.
“It’s a colourful festival with vibrant costumes, ladies holding Santo Nino [Child Jesus], and dancing in the streets.
“We will provide a glimpse of the Sinulog at the Fusion Festival, leading up to a major celebration this coming January.”
Asked about the importance of Filipinos showcasing their culture and celebrating festivals, Ms Borja said: “It’s about preserving our culture.
“Even though we are far from the Philippines, we, as a community, want to celebrate our heritage.
“It’s part of our Catholic faith to express our beliefs through our devotion to the Child Jesus.
“We also want to share our religious festival with other communities in Wagga.”
The grant for the Fusion Botanical Multicultural Festival will contribute to the presentation of live music, street food and cultural experiences in a celebration of fun and diversity within the city’s botanic gardens.
Independent Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr said the grants were vital in ensuring that the people of Wagga Wagga could share in the rich social fabric of NSW.
“We are one of the most successful multicultural states in the world, and our community recognises that the diversity within it is an asset to be cherished and celebrated,” Dr McGirr said.
“The Filipino community and the Fusion festival are deserving recipients of these grants, exemplifying the vibrant and colourful multicultural activities that make our city a wonderful place to live and visit.”
NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said grassroots festivals and other events were crucial for communities.
“We understand how important these celebrations are for the diverse communities across our state,” Mr Kamper said.
“They provide an opportunity to share and celebrate different cultures while keeping people connected to their homelands.”
The Stronger Together Festivals and Events grants offer funding to not-for-profit groups for hosting community-led festivities that foster social cohesion and encourage cross-cultural celebrations.
In this first round of grants, nearly 80 community groups across NSW successfully applied for funding to support their activities.
Multicultural NSW administers the grants on behalf of the NSW Government in two rounds each year.
The second round of the Stronger Together Festival and Events grants program is now open, supporting festivities scheduled to run between 1 March and 31 December, 2025.
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