Mayor of Lithgow City Council, Cassandra Coleman says she is “absolutely heartbroken’ at the decision by organisers of the arts and culture festival, Ironfest, to not hold the local event in 2025.
Mayor Coleman said the Council had been actively working with Ironfest organisers to assist them to deliver the event this year, including providing $20,000 to the event through this year’s budget.
“I have supported Ironfest for many years and know the attachment that many in the community have to this event,” she said.
The festival, which was re-formatted post the COVID-19 pandemic, proceeded for the first time in four years in 2024.
The Mayor said that, recognising that the organisers of Ironfest have often had difficultly making the event financially sustainable, Council had also budgeted $20,000 in sponsorship assistance to the event this financial year.
“Although Councils $20,000 sponsorship offer was declined, Council will continue to work with the organisers of Ironfest with an aim to have the event delivered again in coming years,” she said.
The Mayor said the Council was committed to establishing a vibrant and sustainable range of events across the LGA and would continue to work with existing and new events organisers to achieve this.
