DESPITE a couple years of COVID implications and subsequent cancellations, Swan Hill Show Society president Reg Packer believes the show well placed financially thanks to government grants, local sponsorship and fundraisers.
“We got enough money to run this year’s show no worries,” Mr Packer said.
Mr Packer believes regionals are a major part of their communities.
“I think it’s part and parcel with being in the country,” he said.
Having such a big role in country life meant it was a bit of a blow to morale to go without the show for the last two years as they fell victim to COVID implications.
“In 2020 it was very obvious that there wasn’t going to be any show,” Mr Packer said.
“In 2021 there was a little more hope around that we might have a show, until we got to August, about two months before the show, when it became very obvious that there were no events going on in Victoria at all.”
Despite their comfortable financial position, there are still some major infrastructure projects that Mr Packer and the Show Society would like to complete.
Mr Packer hopes the society can benefit from a $15.4 million fund in the second round of the government’s Agricultural Shows Development Grant Program.
“We’d love to apply for some grant money to do some infrastructure on the showgrounds.”
The program is designed to support the repairs, upgrades, building or buying showground infrastructure or attractions for showgrounds.
Mr Packer said there were major infrastructure projects the show society would like to complete should they get money from this grant program.
“There are some things we need, like a new storage shed, and we still haven’t got the disabled toilets at the showgrounds,” Mr Packer said.
Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud said agricultural shows were of great importance and the funding would help to support the growth and long-term sustainability of the industry.
“They generate $1 billion for regional Australia in economic benefits, they’re supported by around 50,000 volunteers, and most importantly, they play an important role in the social and economic fabric of regional Australia,” Mr Littleproud said.
