Applications are now open for agricultural show societies like the Moss Vale and District AH and I Society to apply for funding under the NSW government's $5 million Country Shows Support Package.
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Funding can be used for a range of reasons, including ensuring shows are COVID Safe, subsidising stall fees, equipment hire, upgrading show facilities or engaging locally based artists or musicians.
AgShows NSW President Tim Capp said these funds would be vital to the ongoing success of agricultural shows in NSW in 2022, enabling committees to plan with financial confidence and enthusiasm.
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"Through Regional NSW support, our NSW shows can plan their 2022 event to bring communities together, celebrate local agriculture, improve the local wellbeing and encourage past and new volunteers to be involved in one of the biggest events on their local community calendar," Mr Capp said.
"Agricultural shows are an integral part of Australian culture and the most authentic and accessible display of Australian farming and regional life.
"To date across the state, over one hundred and thirty shows and field days have sadly been cancelled as a result of COVID-19.
"These cancellations impact the community, local economy, agriculture competition and the volunteers, who run in the hundreds and thousands," Tim Capp said.
This funding is helping to ensure the sustainability of agricultural show societies and the agricultural shows they conduct, and the organisers of agricultural field days and the agricultural field days they conduct.
"Funding of up to $15,000 will be available to small shows with an audience of less than 2,000 people across all event days, while medium and large shows can apply for up to $30,000 and $45,000 respectively," Mr Capp said.
"Shows are community driven, institutional events that in the recent past have been disrupted by drought, bushfires, floods and COVID-19.
"This vital funding will help show societies hold their future events. The responsibility now lies with shows to apply."
Applications opened on Tuesday, December 14and close on Friday April 29 or when funding is exhausted.
For further information, including program guidelines and eligibility criteria, go to: www.nsw.gov.au/CountryShows.
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