The Upper Hunter Show has been given a helping hand so organisers can present “real country show entertainment for the whole family” at Muswellbrook Showground next month, thanks to support from the NSW Nationals in the state government.
Nationals Member for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell has welcomed a $45,000 Country Shows Support Package grant which will give the 131st staging of the event a real boost.
“The Upper Hunter Show is a fantastic local tradition and this grant will ensure it continues to delight locals and be a part of our history for many generations to come,” Mr Layzell said.
“The timing of this funding coincides with preparations for the 2022 Upper Hunter Show on Friday and Saturday, March 18 & 19 gathering momentum.
“Tickets to the show can be pre-purchased online from today and entries are being called for competitions such as the School Cattle Day, Beef Cattle competitions and the pavilion attractions including the Art, Cooking, Handicrafts and Photography competitions.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the $5 million Country Shows Support Package provides a funding opportunity for the 190 agricultural shows that are planned across NSW in 2022.
“It’s been a tough few years for country shows, with drought, bushfires, storms, floods and COVID-19 disrupting plans, but as they say, the show must go on and these grants are helping make that happen,” Mr Toole said.
“Country shows are the heartbeat of so many rural communities – they not only celebrate the best of the best in the community but allow visitors to experience the tastes, sights and sounds of the bush.
“These grants will provide certainty to show organisers that they can lock in suppliers, hire equipment and purchase goods, which is also great news for local businesses.
“It’s also a big win for competitors who have spent years perfecting events like wood-chopping, show jumping or baking, as they can now focus on earning the points needed to compete at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.”
Funding of up to $15,000 is available to small shows with a crowd of fewer than 2,000 people across all event days, while medium and large shows can apply for up to $30,000 and $45,000 respectively.
The $5 million Country Shows Support Package is part of the NSW Government’s $200 million Regional Recovery Package, which will deliver long term support and certainty for the regions as the state reopens.
Applications are open until Friday, April 29, 2022, or when funding is exhausted.
For further information, including program guidelines and eligibility criteria, go to: www.nsw.gov.au/CountryShows.
