MEDIA RELEASE
Date: 25 September 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Clare & Gilbert Valleys Council backs local events with funding support
Clare & Gilbert Valleys Council has confirmed funding allocations under its 2025-26 Events Support Program, providing vital support to four community and regional events that deliver cultural, tourism and economic benefits to the district.
A total of $13,000 has been awarded, supporting events with combined budgets exceeding $100,000.
The successful recipients are:
- Clare Valley Wine & Grape Association – 2026 Clare Valley SCA Gourmet Festival ($8,000)Australia’s longest-running food and wine festival, the Gourmet Festival is the Clare Valley’s flagship event, showcasing premium wine, local produce, live entertainment and regional hospitality. From 2026, the festival will run over four days, with highlights such as the Gourmet Bus Trail helping spread visitors across the region
- Renault Car Club of Victoria Inc. – National Gordini Gathering ($2,000)This one-off motoring event celebrates the rare French Renault Gordini sports car. Activities across the October long weekend will include a show and shine, cruises through the Valley, a memorabilia display, and local dining experiences. It is expected to draw enthusiasts from across Australia, boosting tourism in the region
- Sustainable Connections – Clare Sustainability Festival ($2,000)
A new community event focused on practical sustainability, innovation, and environmental awareness. The festival will bring together workshops, stalls and activities to encourage households and businesses to embrace sustainable practices while engaging the broader community in fun, family-friendly ways - Clare Agricultural & Horticultural Society Inc. – Clare Show 160th Celebration Dinner ($1,000)Marking 160 years of the Clare Show, this special dinner will celebrate the Show’s long history and connection with the community. Guests will enjoy a night of rustic fare, local wines, live music and stories from across the generations, honouring the traditions and people that have shaped the event
Chief Executive Officer David Stobbe said the program reinforces Council’s commitment to fostering a connected and vibrant community.
“Events are an essential part of community life in the Clare & Gilbert Valleys.
“They bring people together, celebrate our culture, and generate significant tourism and economic benefits for our region,” Mr Stobbe said.
“By supporting both established and new events, we are helping to ensure their sustainability and enabling innovative ideas to flourish.
“The funding approved this year demonstrates Council’s ongoing commitment to backing a diverse calendar of events that benefit residents, businesses and visitors alike.”
The Events Support Program provides strategic funding to events that meet program criteria, including regional economic impact, cultural contribution, innovation, and capacity to attract visitors.
Contact: David Stobbe, Chief Executive Officer
Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council
4 Gleeson St, Clare, 5453
Email: admin@cgvc.sa.gov.au
Phone: 08 88426400