By Phil Herrick

After a process that all agreed was messy and unfortunate for everyone involved, the Eurobodalla Shire Council is to give Sculpture for Clyde $20,000 for marketing to support the event in late May 2024 and waive venue fees of $8,074.

The saga saw the request for the grant considered at three council meetings, a council resolution the general manager termed “defective”, the last-minute cancellation of an extraordinary meeting to deal with a rescission motion and presentations by over a dozen speakers for and against the grant.

Those in support of the grant spoke of the cultural and economic benefits of the event that now offers a $100,000 prize and is nationally significant.

Arguments against, revolved around the grant process, the perception of favourable treatment of the Bay event and the lack of open competition from other shire events for the $20,000.

At no point did any of the speakers or councillors oppose the event in itself – it was always about the money.

The chair of the sculpture committee, David Maclachlan emphasised the event’s value for money where all winning sculptures are donated to the community for permanent exhibition on the Sculpture Walk along the Bay foreshore from the bridge to Batehaven.

“Our community gets great artworks at half price through the sculpture competition,” he said, and went on to detail a number of pieces that were worth a lot more than the prize money paid to the sculptor.

The question was raised asking why the Bay sculpture event was not a council recognised “Hallmark event” and given assured support like the Narooma Oyster Festival and River of Art.

“We were told in no uncertain terms there were only two Hallmark events and we did not qualify,” Mr Maclachlan said.

Cr Mayne then asked Kellee Pisanos, the staff member responsible for the events strategy if there was a more transparent process that could have been followed to ease concerns raised by those opposed to the gift.

“It has now been considered at three council meetings. I believe that’s very transparent,” she responded.

Ms Pisanos said a new events strategy will be developed in the new year and it will include more flexibility for requests for support.

When the vote was taken, Crs Mayne, Grace, Diskon, Schutz, Harrison and Dannock supported the gift of $20,000 while Crs Pollock and Worthington voted against. Mayor Matt Hatcher had declared an interest and left the meeting, as he is a business partner of Mr Maclachlan.