That’s a wrap: Geraldton’s Shore Leave 2023 festival a hit, but funding beyond 2024 remains uncertain

After a successful third outing, is Geraldton’ Shore Leave festival a shore bet beyond 2024? Next year marks the fourth and final year of confirmed funding for the emerging festival, organised to showcase the best of Mid West produce, lifestyle, culture, entertainment and landscape. So what will become of Shore Leave after next year’s festival? Organisers will be seeking funding to stage the event in the long term, with those submissions to be considered by the State Government and other sponsors. Shore Leave’s first year was funded by the Department of Primary Industries and Primary Development and the Mid West Development Commission. Representatives from Tourism WA came to the inaugural event, and agreed to fund the following three years between 2022-2024. Shore Leave board member Shaun McInnes said the board conceived the idea of Shore Leave as a long-term addition to the Geraldton culture landscape. “The intention is to continue to grow and build it in coming years, we’ve taken a long-term approach. We recognise the massive potential of the region but also understand building a brand and festival around a region is not a short-term thing,” he said. Deputy Premier and Tourism Minister Roger Cook, who attended this year’s Shore Leave, said: “The first two years have been successful in highlighting tourism, arts, culture and produce in Geraldton and the wider region. Tourism WA is looking forward to receiving a proposal for a new funding agreement.” The event has also received sponsorship from the City of Greater Geraldton, Mid West Ports Authority and Geraldton Fishermen’s Cooperative. City Mayor Shane Van Styn said: “Since the inaugural Shore Leave Festival in 2021, the City of Greater Geraldton has been staunch supporters providing $260,000 over three years as well as various in kind assistance. “Because of the positive benefits for the region and State, we have been in conversation with Tourism Geraldton Midwest about extending our sponsorship for 2024’s event, which will be decided upon in the 2023-24 Budget that will go to council in June.” The 2023 event was a success, with big crowds gathering at various events and at the pop-up headquarters on the foreshore, known as The Helm. Visitors and locals crowded into The Helm to take advantage of the bars, food trucks and performance on stage each night. “It went really well and was received well by everyone,” Mr McInnes said. Highlights over the weekend included the Abrolhos Island Long Table Lunch, Paddock to Plate with chef Matt Moran and performances from singers Grace Barbe and Alexia Parenzee. The Morning with Matt Moran was another notable success, as the sold-out event filled with guests ready to pick Mr Moran’s brain on his involvement with farming and its influence on his culinary empire. Mr Van Styn added: “Over the weekend I attended a number of the events and was also involved in the crayfish cook-off, which was ripper to be part of and showcased our local produce and culture.”