Funding boost for Narrabri Show Society’s 2021 event

Narrabri Show Society’s 2021 event has been bolstered by federal government support ensuring it can proceed with plans for the show next year.

Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, announced the society would receive $12,762 from the Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days program.

The show society’s vice president, Bec Cope, said the funding was extremely critical in helping to stage next year’s event.

“Given that we didn’t have a show this year, we didn’t have that source of income to carry over to the next event,” she said.

“This funding will certainly put us in a better starting position for next year’s show.”

In addition to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the show society has felt flow-on effects from the extended drought with a decline in a sponsorship and patronage.

Ms Cope said the society was grateful for the support it had received in these tough times.

Speaking of next year’s event, she said the organisation would still require support in the way of in-kind and monetary sponsorship to ensure the show’s full activities could go ahead.

Mr Coulton said while rural and regional communities have combated COVID-19 with tenacity, the virus had taken its toll on agricultural events in his electorate.

“I’m so pleased that the first payments under the program will roll out to 17 show societies across the electorate before Christmas,” Mr Coulton said.

“The show societies set to benefit range from Warialda in the north, Condobolin in the south and Nyngan to the west, and includes regional shows such as Dubbo – all with fantastic local committees that are incredibly dedicated to their local show and community. This funding will help to cover costs such as rates, utilities, insurance and telecommunications, which will go a long way towards ensuring next year we can bounce back bigger and better.”