Showgrounds at Ardlethan, Bedgerabong, Cowra, Illabo, Lockhart, Parkes, Tullamore, and Woodstock are set for welcome upgrades as part of the Federal Government’s $20 million Regional Agricultural Show Development Grants program.
Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said altogether eight show organisations in the Riverina and Central West would receive a total of $753,391.50 for projects ranging from repairing pavilions and livestock yards to upgrading patron amenities and installing air conditioning.
“These grants are a shot in the arm for the committee members of hard-working agricultural show societies who labour all year round to put on the annual shows which we all love to attend,” Mr McCormack said.
“Show societies are part of the fabric of country life.
“I know they are doing it tough at the moment because the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many shows not to go ahead this year, but they will bounce back and these grants will help them put on bigger and better shows when the crisis has passed.”
Mr McCormack said many Riverina and Central West shows had run for at least 75 years and in some cases well over 100 years, so the grants would help show societies freshen up ageing facilities.
“These grants make possible upgrades which the show societies might otherwise not be able to afford as our communities battle the drought and the effects of the coronavirus,” Mr McCormack said.
“The grants will be spent in the towns and support local economies.
“The biggest beneficiaries will be the showgoers – young and old – who attend shows for a family day out or to exhibit produce and stock.
“The Government’s goal was to see agricultural shows continue to thrive and be enjoyed for generations to come.”
Mr McCormack said the Regional Agricultural Show Development Grants Program would deliver $20 million in grants for 122 regional agricultural show societies around Australia.
“There are about 580 agricultural shows across Australia and they contribute some $965 million to the economy each year,” Mr McCormack said.
Nearly six million Australians visit an agricultural show each year.
Riverina electorate Regional Agricultural Show Development Program grants
Organisation: Agricultural Pastoral & Show Society of Lockhart Inc
Amount: $75,360
Project: Upgrade the Lockhart Showgrounds livestock sheds including roofing and footing repairs, and construction of a secure, portable ticketing booth.
Organisation: Ardlethan Show Society Inc
Amount: $46,024
Project: Refurbish kitchen and servery facilities and club house flooring at the Ardlethan showgrounds.
Organisation: Bedgerabong PA & H Association Inc
Amount: $70,360
Project: Upgrade the watering system at Bedgerabong Showgrounds, develop a multipurpose livestock facility, repair fencing and install barriers for patron safety.
Organisation: Cowra Show Society Inc
Amount: $67,414.50
Project: Install 20 nine kilowatt split system air conditioning units in the Cowra Show Society Pavilion.
Organisation: Illabo Show Society Inc
Amount: $118,501
Project: Upgrade the pavilion kitchen at the Illabo Showgrounds, install solar panels and a water pump to service the show dog arena, install a PA system, and erect permanent sheep yard.
Organisation: Parkes P.A.& H. Association Inc
Amount: $102,183
Project: Carry out repairs to the luncheon room involving roof, box guttering and ceiling replacement, and repairs to the main arena grandstand including flooring, seating, handrails, steps and loose brickwork, and install bird-proofing at Parkes Showground.
Organisation: Tullamore Pastoral, Agricultural and Horticultural Association Inc
Amount: $148,550
Project: Concrete the poultry shed floor, provide new flooring for bathrooms, line the pavilion dining room, install shelter over horse yards, construct a veranda for the pony club shed, provide power for barbecues and shelter at the camping area, and provide portable yards at the Tullamore Showgrounds.
Organisation: Woodstock Memorial Show Incorporated
Amount: $124,999
Project: Remove existing cattle arena ramp and tie-up ring at Woodstock Memorial Showgrounds; build a new cattle show ring with gated entry, an adjacent shed and cement wash bay; replace a grandstand shed and install new bays with roller door; reconfigure kiosk with new servery window, and extend toilet block with additional cubicles and renovate shower cubicles.