After a tough year for our agricultural shows, Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips MP has today announced two local show societies will receive almost $70,000 under the Australian Government’s Regional Agricultural Show Development (AgShows) Program.
Under the program, Kangaroo Valley Show Society will receive $32,049 to upgrade the pavilion and the lower show grounds, as well as provide a permanent weather-proof cover for the grandstand seating.
Kiama Show Society has also been awarded $37,000 to restore the aging stables and upgrade the facilities at Kiama Showground.
Mrs Phillips said she was pleased to deliver some support for local shows after this year’s difficult show season.
“Agricultural shows play a significant role in our local community – many local farmers work year-round on their exhibits and the displays are a true source of pride,” Fiona Phillips said.
“After the harrowing impact of the bushfires on the local community, the Kangaroo Valley Show was the perfect chance for local people to come together and our true community spirit was on full display,”
“It was so wonderful to hear stories of resilience and strength from local farmers who, even after losing so much, still managed to exhibit their produce as they have always done,” Mrs Phillips said.
Sadly the bushfires caused the cancellation of Kiama, Berry and Moruya shows which are normally held earlier in the season. Local show societies also missed out on many of their usual local sponsors who were unable to contribute due to the economic impact of the lost summer.
“I advocated strongly for our local shows to receive priority funding under this program after the bushfires, and while it is disappointing that a number of local shows missed out, I am thrilled that Kangaroo Valley and Kiama show societies will benefit from these funds,”
The Gilmore MP said she would continue to support all the local show societies and again called on the government to provide more funding to bushfire-impacted shows.
“We still have a long way to go in our recovery and I will continue pursuing all possible avenues to make sure local organisations get the support they need,” Fiona Phillips said.
