Click here for our PICTURE GALLERY of the historic flight in Diggers Rest by Harry Houdini.

THE 100-year celebration of escapologist Harry Houdini's flight into the aviation record books at Diggers Rest might be a big event in global aviation circles, but that has not convinced the state government to throw in a few dollars to support this week's festival.

Several members of the organising committee, who did not want to be named, said they had not received any funding from the government.

They told the Express Telegraph they were "extremely disappointed the government didn't want to fund or support the event".

Melton Council manager of business growth and sustainability Brett Luxford said it had pursued a number of government avenues for funding, including Heritage Victoria, Tourism Victoria and the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development.

Mr Luxford said there were "six or eight" requests made for direct funding, but he could not say how much assistance the council had requested.

He said the council's contribution for the centenary celebrations was $110,000, including $30,000 for the festival with the remainder spent on items such as promotion and the site memorial and interpretive signage.

Melton MP Don Nardella said the organising committee had received a grant from Regional Development Victoria, but he did not know how much. Committee members disputed Mr Nardella's claim.

The MP said he would represent Premier John Brumby at the festival.

Click here to watch FILM of the historic flight in Diggers Rest by Harry Houdini.

Click here for our PICTURE GALLERY of the historic flight in Diggers Rest by Harry Houdini.