Sponsorship

Applications for HCCDC's sponsorship program are currently closed, and no further applications can be accepted at this time.

HCCDC supports local initiatives that enhance, celebrate and provide lasting benefit to the communities of the Hunter and Central Coast.

We support a diverse range of activities, programs, research and thought leadership initiatives that contribute to the delivery of our strategic objectives to:

  • Deliver strategic outcomes to grow economic capacity and enhance communities;
  • Drive industry diversification to grow more jobs to attract and retain talent to the regions;
  • Create engaging, sustainable and attractive public spaces, connected to better transport options;
  • Unlock opportunities and realise the full potential of government and land assets;
  • Respect existing character, culture and heritage; and
  • Work in collaboration and partnership with community and stakeholders.


What is a Sponsorship?


Sponsorship is a commercial arrangement in which a sponsor provides a contribution in money or in 'value-in-kind'  to support specified activities in return for agreed and defined benefits.

HCCDC does not engage in sponsorship for purely charitable or philanthropic purposes. Sponsorships are required to:

  • Contribute to the delivery of HCCDC’s strategic objectives;
  • Provide lasting benefits to HCCDC and the community;
  • Meet HCCDC's eligibility criteria; and
  • Be deemed an appropriate use of HCCDC sponsorship fund allocation.

Applications for the current sponsorship program are now closed, and no further applications will be accepted at this time. Please refer back to this webpage for future updates.

HCCDC may sponsor social and community initiatives with a priority focus on the following key HCCDC project precincts:

  • Newcastle city centre:
    The Station, Honeysuckle and Museum Park

  • Central Coast:
    Mount Penang and Leagues Club Park

  • Lake Macquarie:
    Cockle Creek precinct

HCCDC may consider supporting these type of activities:

  • Revitalisation and community education programs;

  • Activities or funding of research that relates to or complements HCCDC's strategic objectives, or projects undertaken in areas that HCCDC operates in;

  • Initiatives that provide lasting benefit to the community;

  • Award programs, conferences, industry lunches, exhibitions and trade shows where there is strategic alignment and a track record of providing economic benefits to a community; or

  • Events that bring significant economic activity to a city or region, and increase the profile of the areas in which HCCDC operates. This may include significant regional, sporting, cultural or community organisation activities.

 

HCCDC may consider supporting organisations that:

  • Have a sound reputation with Government, and good performance record for any past sponsorship (if applicable);

  • Have a good alignment or fit with the brand and activities of HCCDC; and

  • Do not have any conflicts between the objectives, mission or business practices of HCCDC.
     


HCCDC will NOT support organisations or events that:

  • Have an alignment to political organisations;

  • Promote gambling;

  • May be considered discriminatory;

  • Could be detrimental to public health and safety;

  • Promote or encourage alcohol or any substance abuse; or

  • May be subject to regulation or inspection by HCCDC.

Sponsorship applications must demonstrate tangible benefits to HCCDC in return for sponsorship, consistent with the level of support requested.

Sponsorships are required to deliver value for Government and its stakeholders, and provide lasting and/or capacity-building benefits. The Sponsorship Policy includes a guide for the types of benefits that may be applicable.

Some initiatives we've sponsored

New Annual Festival


City of Newcastle’s flagship cultural arts festival, New Annual brought ten days of contemporary art, culture and creativity to the centre of Newcastle - with a mission to foster a prosperous, diverse and resilient economy, and build capacity in the arts and cultural sector.

The festival creates immersive and interactive experiences of visual art, contemporary dance, First Nations music and workshops, as well as theatre and comedy. The Station's piazza was also part of the event for the production of a collaborative film-piece RADIAL, and as part of the interactive Chalk The Walk art trail.

The Big Picture Fest Newcastle


Contributing to the city's rich street art legacy, the internationally recognised The Big Picture Fest has brought high calibre murals to Newcastle's streets, leaving an enviable art trail that locals and visitors will be able to explore for years to come. 

The live art-making event is fitting with our commitment to support the community and revitalise Newcastle's public spaces. We're excited to have partnered with NSW Government's The Festival of Place to sponsor the event for a second year in 2022 bringing new colour, energy and professional street art to the city.

Newcastle Afoot School Excursions


Newcastle Afoot's Education Program delivers immersive K-12 city tours that share and celebrate Newcastle through fun and informative exploration - focused on heritage, revitalisation and creative placemaking.

A beautiful platform mural was also painted at The Station, honouring Newcastle’s unique history, culture and character through contemporary storytelling - and now provides a landmark meeting place for the tours, and a vibrant addition to the city’s much-loved and growing street art trail.

Newy With Kids - Scavenger Hunts


Newy with Kids' Scavenger Hunts are engaging and educational maps providing an accessible, fun and free outdoor activity for families.

HCCDC sponsored the production of two maps encouraging exploration of Newcastle's revitalised Museum Park and The Station - where participants can uncover clues and solve mystery phrases, while learning about the unique history of the former railway precincts.

Maps are available from The Station's shops and Newcastle Visitor Information Centre - and can also be downloaded via the link below.

University of Newcastle, Biomes


HCCDC partnered with The University of Newcastle for Biomes 2020 - an innovative virtual art exhibition - bringing the science of conservation out of the lab, and into the community.

In celebration of National Biodiversity Month, the interactive Biomes displays engaged, educated and empowered the community to take action, overcome eco-anxiety, and see their Newcastle region as a living, sustainable and diverse environment. Biomes shared local biodiversity stories, and celebrated conservation successes, including HCCDC’s remediation of Kooragang Island, and our successful protection of the endangered Green and Golden Bell Frog habitat.

Newcastle Fringe Festival


HCCDC was proud to sponsor Newcastle Fringe, a five day live performance and art festival including over 100 events across Newcastle, covering everything from burlesque to theatre, comedy to magic, music of all genres, film, workshops and streaming on demand.

We were pleased to support open access events that attract families, locals and visitors to our regions,  and loved seeing the city come alive with the quirky personality and fun that Fringe events are known for.


Smaller and Smarter Cities International Symposium


HCCDC sponsored the Hunter Research Foundation's, Smaller and Smarter Cities International Symposium. The conference brought together a line-up of 30 expert speakers and panelists sharing national and international perspectives for addressing the opportunities and challenges facing major, non capital cities here and overseas. The keynote speaker shared his perspective on growing and developing regions and their cities.


Newcastle Writer’s Festival


Through the Revitalising Newcastle program, HCCDC supported a major cultural sponsorship with core funding support for the 2018 Newcastle Writers Festival.

The Writers Festival attracted thousands of people into the city centre for a highly acclaimed series of cultural and creative events for all aspects of the community.

The Festival aligned with Revitalising Newcastle’s ‘Still open for business’ campaign.


Property Council of Australia - Hunter Chapter Corporate Partner 2018


HCCDC supported the Hunter Chapter of the Property Council as a corporate partner in 2018. The support provided marketing and public relations exposure to a wide range of professionals in the NSW property sector. HCCDC supported the Hunter Chapter to enable the local community to hear about the NSW Government’s Newcastle and Hunter programs focused on economic development, new jobs, homes and public spaces for the community


‘Next City’ Vanguard Conference


The Vanguard Conference is an experiential urban leadership gathering of the best and brightest young urban leaders working to improve cities across sectors, including urban planning, community development, entrepreneurship, government, transportation, sustainability, design, art and media.

The Newcastle Vanguard conference was the first to be held outside of North America.

Vanguard Conference

Refer to our Annual Reports for full details relating to each years' sponsorship recipients.

Annual Report PDFs