Curryfest is just one of the many events shining a light on the Coffs Coast. Picture: ROBERT WATKIN

by Steve McGrath, GM Coffs Harbour City Council

This week we learnt the city of Coffs Harbour had won the globally acclaimed International Festivals and Events Association World Festival and Event City Award for the fourth year in a row.

I wanted to use this opportunity to make clear this award is not just council’s – it is recognition for the whole community and everyone’s role in creating an environment in which events and festivals can flourish.

It’s also worth pointing out the whole community gains from the direct economic benefits that increasing numbers of visitors bring to our region.

The entire basis of the IFEA awards is that they are all about highlighting communities that work together to create successful festivals and events.

This is why this accolade is very definitely for the whole Coffs Harbour community – the local groups, organisations and individuals who get together to develop and run events, the business sector that supports them through sponsorship and the different levels of government that provide funding and assistance.

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