The Marion Bay leg of the Falls Festival looks like it will continue after a philanthropist named Graeme Wood came to the rescue when it appeared to be doomed by lack of funding from the Tasmanian government. Organisers had asked the state government for $350,000 to ensure the survival of the festival, but were turned down after receiving $900,000 over the previous nine years.
According to Ninemsn, the contribution by Wood, who is also the founder of wotif.com, will remain confidential and be delivered on a year-to-year basis. Falls, which attracts big name acts every year such as Arctic Monkeys, Fleet Foxes and Kimbra, generates about $150 million to the state’s economy. Around half of the 16,000 people from this year’s festival came from interstate.
Falls organiser Simon Daly spoke to reporters on Wednesday, saying: “If we hadn’t have been able to procure the support, whether it had been from government or the private sector, it would have made it very difficult to stage. We understand that obviously it’s a tough time in Tasmania and feel really fortunate that we’ve been able to work with Graeme Wood. The amount that we’re being supported by Graeme goes a long way towards the shortfall, and we’re also pursuing other avenues that are making it possible.”
The Falls Festival 2012/2013 lineup is expected to be announced around July.
