The Parkes, Forbes, Trundle and Tullamore shows have received some more funding to help show societies cover costs as they plan for 2021.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The money came as an early Christmas present for the towns, Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Riverina Michael McCormack announced at the end of December.
He said although the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the four shows in 2020, the organisations which run the events still faced ongoing costs which placed strain on their finances.
He believed the grants delivered under the Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days Program will take a weight off their shoulders.
Parkes PA & H Association and Forbes Pastoral & Agricultural Association Inc will each receive $70,000, while the Trundle Pastoral & Agricultural Society Inc will receive $5143.67 and Tullamore Pastoral, Agricultural Association Inc will receive $10,000.
Mr McCormack said the program is distributing $357,990 in total to 23 show organisations in the Riverina and Central West.
"The money can be used to claim reimbursements on costs which must be paid even when shows have had to be cancelled, including bank fees, utilities, rates, insurance, fire alarms and equipment, cleaning supplies, telecommunications, IT systems licensing costs, website costs, rent and state and national show body affiliation fees," he said.
"This funding follows $753,391 which was delivered to eight show organisations in the Riverina electorate in May through the Federal Government's $20 million Agricultural Show Development Grants Program for showground improvements.
"So this latest funding means some $1.11 million has been given to Riverina and Central West show organisations."
Woolworths has also handed out a generous donation to show societies following the cancellation of the 2020 Royal Agricultural Society of NSW's Big Bush BBQ, held annually at the iconic Sydney Royal Easter Show.
Thirty Show Societies were set to participate in last year's Big Bush BBQ to raise funds for their local agricultural show and the wider community.
Thanks to Woolworths, each society will receive $1200 despite their event's cancellation, with Parkes, Bedgerabong and Cowra among those to benefit.
Parkes received $102,183 through the government's Agricultural Show Development Grants Program for a range of improvements, including repairs to the showground luncheon room and repairs to the main arena grandstand, including flooring, seating, handrails and steps.
The funding also provided for loose brickwork to be rectified and bird-proofing to be installed.
The Parkes Showground has been a hive of activity over the last several months as onlookers watch funding put to use.
The animal nursery and environmental shed were demolished in November, making way for a bigger and better facility in its place.
This year will be the Parkes Show Society's 140th show.
Tullamore received $148,550 for improvements which included concreting the poultry shed floor, new flooring for bathrooms, lining the pavilion dining room, installing shelter over the horse yards, power for the barbecues and shelter at the camping area.
There are about 580 agricultural shows across Australia, which contribute about $965 million to the economy each year.
And Mr McCormack said nearly six million Australians visit an agricultural show each year.