Elderly show-goers will be the major beneficiaries of a NSW Government grant announced ahead of this weekend’s Gulgong Show.
Member for Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders has today announced $12,331 for the Gulgong Show Society, from the government’s Country Shows Package.
“The Gulgong Show has actually gone ahead the past two years, but the pandemic has still taken its toll on the community,” Mr Saunders said.
“What we’ve been through in recent years reminded us all how important community is, and country shows are a great opportunity for communities to come together.
“As a government, we’re determined that the show must go on!”
Mr Saunders said the pandemic has actually revitalised the country show movement, with Gulgong organisers reporting membership has grown almost 200 per cent.
“They’re getting new members just about every day, and new volunteers at their working bees as well,” Mr Saunders said.
Gulgong Show Society secretary Rose Jackson said the funding had already been allocated to help hire a courtesy bus to drive elderly patrons around the showground, and to purchase equipment to make the event sun and COVID safe.
“It’s given us the ability to purchase equipment we’ve desperately needed,” she said.
“We’re very grateful for the support we get from Dugald and the NSW Government. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
Applications are open until Friday, 29 April 2022, or when funding is exhausted. For further information, including program guidelines and eligibility criteria, go to: www.nsw.gov.au/CountryShows.