Music also filled the air during the annual festival, and some of the most melodic came from student buskers.
On Friday, March 15 Benalla Business Network president Dennis O’Brien visited Benalla P-12 College to present vouchers to some of the buskers involved.
On top of the P-12 students, others from FCJ College and the Australian Christian College also showcased their musical talents at the event.
Mr O’Brien said it was wonderful that local students added another dimension to the festival, their music being another form of street art.
“Street music added to the street art festival,” he said.
“It was particularly great that it was young people doing it. It’s boosted their confidence and there was a lot of pride in the community to see them out doing it.
“The Benalla Business Network worked closely with the street art committee to organise it, and it got a great response from the three schools.
“We hope it'll grow and get bigger and bigger next year, and even throughout the year.”
Mr O’Brien said council waived the busking fee for the street art festival, and he hoped that might be something that could be expanded to allow more opportunities for local people, particularly students, to be able to perform in the CBD.
“The BBN is all about trying to develop and assist businesses to grow and thrive, and ensure that the whole community is better off,” he said.
“We might look at seeing that waived as an annual thing, but maybe even just for particular buskers, perhaps just students, for example.
“I think that would be a good thing.”
One of the student buskers was Emily Hedt. She said it was a great experience.
“It was really good connection-wise to be able to meet new people, create an environment around the existing artworks,” she said.
Music teacher Edwin Manono said he was thrilled with the students’ performance at the festival.
“I am so happy that they have actually shown some great improvements, some growth in their performance, and it’s more of a culture in them now,” he said.
“We’re so thrilled that we’re given these performance avenues to showcase.
“So it’s a really well done to all of them for the work that they’ve done.
“And by supporting these students, we are just not rewarding performance, but we're investing in a generation of citizens who are brave enough to share the talents and engage with the world face to face.”
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