Media Statements - Funding to enhance rural shows in wheatbelt

17/8/00

Fourteen agricultural societies and other organisations in the Wheatbelt have won grants totalling more than $40,600 to enhance stands, displays and other facilities at local shows and festivals.

Regional Development Minister Hendy Cowan said rural shows play a significant role in promoting the range of high quality goods and services produced in regional areas.

“Effective promotion is fundamental to regional development and the grants provide practical support for communities to ensure professional and attractive displays that properly showcase the innovation and achievements of local producers,” Mr Cowan said.

The grants will be used to build or improve facilities ranging from display sheds and livestock pens to catwalks and shearing stands.

“There is enormous innovation in the rural sector, but maximising returns depends very much on getting that message out in a professional and unequivocal manner,” the Minister said.

“This is a central theme of the new Regional Development Policy launched by the State Government earlier this year, and we are committed to implementing strategies and initiatives that directly assist regional communities in areas such as promotion and marketing.”

The Wheatbelt recipients were among 31 organisations across the State sharing in more than $83,000 funding under the Grants for Rural Show Display Scheme, administered by the Department of Commerce and Trade.

The funds are allocated on the basis of $2 Government funds for every $1 from applicants, to a maximum of $4,000.

Grants awarded to Wheatbelt organisations include:

Bindoon and Districts Agricultural Society

$883 to purchase display boards for the Bindoon and Districts Agricultural Show on October 21;

Bruce Rock and Districts Agricultural Society
$4,000 to upgrade show jumping equipment and grandstand for the Bruce Rock and Districts Agricultural Show, September 16;
Central Midlands Agricultural Society
$1,973 to purchase a marquee for the Central Midlands Show,
September 22-23;
Corrigin Agricultural Society
$2,252 to build catching pens and a shearing board for the Corrigin Shears Competition at the Corrigin Show, September 9;
Dalwallinu Agricultural Society
$4,000 for poultry pavilion improvements for the Dalwallinu Show,
August 26;
Dowerin GWN Field Days
$3,000 to purchase staging and a catwalk for profiling wool products at the Field Days, August 29-31 and the Vintage Days, April 1, 2001;
Kellerberrin and Districts Agricultural Society
$1,050 to upgrade the poultry pavilion and cages for the Kellerberrin and Districts Annual Show, September 23;
Kulin Bush Races

$4,000 to construct display tables for the Kulin Bush Races, October 7;

Cultivating Kulin Committees
$4,000 to construct a mobile shearing stand for the Kulin Quick Shears competition at Kulin Quick Shears, October 14;
Merredin Agricultural Society
$3,010 for portable poultry cages for the Merredin Agricultural Show, October 14;
Narrogin Agricultural Society
$4,000 to construct grating, penning and a shearing board for the Narrogin Agricultural Show, October 14;
Newdegate Machinery Field Day
$4,000 to construct a wool display shed for the speed shears competition at the Newdegate Field Day, September 6-7;
Pingelly Agricultural Society
$3,300 to purchase a free standing pavilion for the Pingelly Autumn Country Show and Yabbie Fest, March 17, 2001; and -
Toodyay Agricultural Society
$1,224 to purchase seating and a stage for the Toodyay Agricultural Show, October 14.

Media contact: Peter Jackson 9222-9595