For the fourth year in a row, State Government funding has been secured for Benallas now world recognised Wall to Wall Festival. Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes joined Labor Candidate for Euroa Fionna Deppeler-Morton and Wall to Wall Committee Chair Roxanne Demasson to announce $90 000 in funding towards the world class street art festival in 2019. Ms Symes said that the annual festival has cemented Benalla as the regional street art capital of Australia thanks to the support of the local township and the amazing artworks by local and international artists. Im thrilled that the advocacy work Fionna Deppeler-Morton, our Labor candidate for Euroa, and I have done in (securing) funding for the 2019 Wall to Wall Festival in my home town, Ms Symes said. I have worked hard to ensure the festival receives Government support and its fantastic to see the event continue to grow each year. The festival and resulting art brings thousands of people to beautiful Benalla year-round, boosting the local economy and supporting local jobs. It has reinvigorated Benalla, putting it on the world stage as a leader in street art. Ms Deppeler-Morton said not only does the festival bring visitors to Benalla it has also injected new energy and colour to the town. The collection of street art works in Benalla is second to none and there isnt a place in Australia that has so many high quality murals in the one place, she said. Just as infrastructure and investment are critical to ensure a thriving community, so too are culture experiences and the coming together as a community to celebrate all that is great about it Benalla has certainly found its creative niche. Ms Demasson thanked the Victorian Government for its continued support for the Wall to Wall Festival. This will be our fifth year, and the success of the festival is in large part thanks to our partnership with the Government. This years festival will add even more colour to Benalla with plans to paint iconic buildings and to build on the impressive collection of works in the CBD and surrounding communities. We have also pushed the festival back to April next year to take advantage of the beautiful north east autumn weather. Were also hoping to activate the skate park again and we will introduce more workshops for the community. The artists will be announced at a later date, but what I can tell you today is that it will be an exciting line-up.