Cr Lewis congratulated the Robertson and Moss Vale Show Societies for their recent successful agricultural shows, the Sutton Forest Cricket Club for its successful reunion, and the Rotary Clubs of the Southern Highland, which hosted 600 Rotarians and partners at the annual Rotary District 9710.

Cr Lewis said these events, together with the overnight visit of cyclists taking part in the RTA Big Bike Ride and visitors to the annual SWIRL, showcasing the expanding food and wine industry, had brought many visitors into the Southern Highlands from all over NSW and even further afield. "Now if we add up the number of people attending just those few events in late February and early March and work out the amount of money they would have spent on accommodation, food, drinks and shopping, I think it is fair to say the local economy would have had a very significant boost," he said.