Shows and field days cancelled because of COVID-19 are about to get a slice of $34 million Australian Government funding to ensure they can come back in 2021.

The support package opened to applications in September year and Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan has welcomed the funds flowing before the start of shows next year.

“These assistance grants worth a total of almost $70,000 for five show societies in Cowper will support local shows to go ahead next year,” he said.

“Agriculture show societies play an important role in our community, from stimulating our local economies to providing a much-loved platform for catching up.

“We are fortunate to be in this position to be able to start shows next year and I thank the Agriculture Minister David Littleproud for providing these assistance grants.”

The five show societies in Cowper receiving assistance grants through the Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days Program are:

• Bellingen River Agricultural Society Ltd: $15,000 for the Bellinger River Show
• Coffs Harbour Show Society Inc: $14,974.31 for the Coffs Harbour Show
• Nambucca River District Agricultural Association Limited: $15,000 for the Macksville Show
• Dorrigo and Guy Fawkes Agricultural Association Inc: $10,000 for the Dorrigo Show
• Central North Coast National Agricultural Society Limited: $15,000 for the Kempsey Show

This makes a total investment of $69,974.31 for show societies in Cowper.

Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud said the first payments under the Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days program will roll out before Christmas.

“Two months ago, I launched this significant package to reimburse eligible costs for shows and field days who had to cancel because of COVID-19,” Mr Littleproud said.

“Today I am pleased to announce that 378 shows and field days have been approved for funding and will receive almost $34 million to help ease cash-flow pressures.

“Our Government is keen to ensure show societies and field day organisers are in the best shape possible to continue in 2021 and beyond.”

Coffs Harbour Show Society President Christopher Pearson said the payment would go towards paying his show society’s fixed costs that have continued to mount this year.

“The big advantage of this grant is it will help to pay off a large chunk of our insurance costs,” he said.

“We are an incorporated body and we have to keep paying our insurance in order to keep our volunteers safe.

“We are definitely planning to run our show next year and the date is set for 30 April to 2 May 2021.

“We are excited to be running the show next year, as it has been going since 1914, and this grant will help us get there.”

The NSW Government responsible for the Public Health Act gave the green light for shows to return next year on the 5 November 2020. Shows from January next year can have up to 5,000 people attend at any given time.

Assistance grants under the Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days Program were tiered, with shows with less than 2,000 attendees last year able to claim up to $10,000; shows with between 2,000 and 4,999 attendees able to claim up to $15,000; and shows with over 5,000 attendees able to claim up to $70,000.

Media Contacts:

Mr Littleproud – Douglas Ferguson 0455 448 985

Mr Conaghan – Liz Spry 0418 928 744