PORTER APPLAUDS FESTIVAL ON SUCCESS

Today, Member for Ginninderra Mary Porter MLA, applauded the great success of the National Folk Festival, held in Canberra over Easter for the 18th consecutive year, with visitors coming from all over Australia.

“Congratulations to the organisers of the National Folk Festival on another well-run, highly successful and fun event,” Ms Porter said.

“It was not just the amount of people who attended that was pleasing, but the excellent atmosphere generated by those who attended. It was a trouble free weekend, and it certainly appeared as though everyone was having a great time,” said Ms Porter, who has been a regular at the National Folk Festival for some time, and attended most of the weekend.

“Such an event, which gives such a boost to ACT tourism and the local economy, would not be such a success without the huge army of volunteers that the Festival attracts.”

“Especially the 1,600 volunteers who contributed so much to the success of the Festival this year; it’s an amazing number and proof that a strong sense of community exists in the ACT, but also speaks of a loyal following of volunteers from all over Australia” Ms Porter said.

“To match the attendance figures of the 2008 Festival, despite occasionally inclement weather, and given the current economic situation, is an excellent outcome and speaks volumes for those responsible for its organisation.”

“It is just the type of event that we need in these trying times.”