Live music fans across the Central Coast are the real winners after The Rhythm Hut took out the September round of the #GreaterCentralCoast funding program.
With the music scene heavily impacted by COVID-19, The Rhythm Hut plans to use this month’s winnings of $2,000 to cover operational costs so they can keep their doors open after being shut down for five months.
A not-for-profit community space located in Gosford, The Rhythm Hut supports, fosters and promotes arts, music and culture on the Central Coast. They host a range of live music events from local, national and international artists, as well as a range of music classes, workshops and speciality master classes.
According to former General Manager and current volunteer, Louise Sawilejskij, winning the #GreaterCentralCoast funding round for September couldn’t have come at a better time after a challenging few months.
“The effects of COVID-19 on our business has been far reaching and having to close our venue for so long has had a massive impact on our operational costs. So winning the #GreaterCentralCoast funding is a huge financial boost for us,” Louise said.
“We are extremely grateful to Greater Bank for providing this opportunity and are excited to be able to start offering socially distanced live music events and music classes again.”
Both runners up to the September round, Gosford Kariong Rugby Leagues Club and Disabled Surfers Association of Australia Inc. Central Coast Branch will each receive a $500 grant to go towards their operational costs.
Greater Bank’s Central Coast Regional Sales Manager, Josh Swetnam, is thrilled to see this month’s major grant helping a local cultural venue continue to offer music and live events to the local community.
“We all know how difficult this year has been for so many small businesses so it’s wonderful to see the #GreaterCentralCoast providing much needed financial support to a community organisation such as The Rhythm Hut by helping them to open their doors once again,” Josh said.
“We are delighted to be able to provide this assistance, with the help of the community who had their say via public vote, and see the positive impact it will have on the local arts music and cultural scene.”
Greater Bank’s Central Coast Regional Sales Manager, Josh Swetnam
The October round of the #GreaterCentralCoast program is now open with The Entrance Amateur Swimming Club, Peninsula Lighthouse Ltd and SOCARES Animal Care Facility each vying for a share in the $3000 funding.
The public can cast their vote online at greater.com.au/greatercentralcoast or by visiting a Greater Bank branch. Voting closes at 5pm on Wednesday 28 October 2020.