Shows and field days cancelled this year because of COVID-19 are about to get a slice of $34 million Australian government funding to ensure they can come back in 2021.
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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.
Shows were given the green light last month to return next year. They will be able to 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.