The Wesley project’s fundraising total is nearing $600,000, with Horsham East Rotary Club’s art show proceeds bringing the campaign closer to its $1-million goal.

Rotary club president Terry Harris said the annual art show enabled the club to contribute $10,000 to The Wesley campaign.

“It was a very successful art show, so we’re very happy with it,” he said.

“The $10,000 includes the profits of the art show, and we’ve upped it for the project. 

“We made good money out of the art show, we had a raffle where prizes were donated, so it all worked out well.”

The Wesley committee chair Mary Starr said the project could be ‘days away’ from the milestone $600,000 total.

“Money is still coming in consistently, we’ve only got another maybe $1500 or so to get up to $600,000. It’s really close, it could be there by the end of the week,” she said.

“We’re getting surprises – we had a student’s recital the other day, and it raised $500 by anonymous people. That was absolutely fabulous.”

The fundraising project will be met with a dollar-for-dollar grant by the State Government if $1-million is reached.

“We’re edging closer,” Ms Starr said.

“We’ve got our application in and we hope to hear by the end of the year.”

The building’s restoration and renovation will include the installation of a single-level floor from the front door through to the green room, enabling better access. 

Built as a church in 1911, the 200-capacity venue was converted to a performing arts space in 1999.

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