The Flying Fruit Fly Circus is fundraising to complete the first accommodation for visiting artists and teachers, with talks underway to also improve options for students.
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Farrer MP Sussan Ley visited the two unit blocks in South Albury yesterday that FFFC purchased mid last year with a $300,000 federal government grant.
Securing accommodation for visiting artists from all over the world had been a five-year goal for FFFC chief executive Richard Hull.
“It’s been a long discussion with the government around the challenges of being a regional company,” he said.
“While it has many more advantages, what we’ve found is we work a lot with artists from our cities and all over the world who have great influences on our students, and we’re wanting to bring them here and we’ve had to fit accommodation costs into the budget.
“Now we can offer this to them.”
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The two two-bedroom units just minutes from the circus headquarters on Hovell Street have been used since they were purchased.
But final upgrades are needed, with the Victorian government giving $18,000 for fit-out costs.
Mr Hull said FFFC was closing in on their fundraising target to complete the job.
“We’re needing to raise $30,000 that will fix some infrastructure and mean we can totally look after it for the next three years,” he said.
It’s been a long discussion with the government around the challenges of being a regional company
- Flying Fruit Fly Circus chief executive Richard Hull
“We’ve raised $10,000 so far and need to raise another $20,000, which will be matched dollar to dollar by Creative Partnerships Australia, so we’re holding a cocktail fundraiser with Sussan Ley and Cathy McGowan.”
Mr Hull said now that the “Circus House” was secured, FFFC would look at more options for students.
“We attract students from interstate and provide accommodation options, primarily home stay,” he said.
“There are limits to that as we only have a certain number of families.”
Ms Ley encouraged people to support the campaign for fundraising.
“Hundreds of local ‘ordinary’ kids have been taught extraordinary things over the years – not only amazing circus routines, but important life lessons in fitness, discipline and working as a team,” she said.
Those interested in the fundraiser on February 15, can call (02) 6043 0770.