Grants will be "incredible" for Cowra Show Society

On Tuesday, December 14, the state government unveiled its $5 million Country Shows Support Package, which is open to 190 show societies across the state.

Funds can be used for marketing, upgrading facilities, ensuring venues are COVID-safe and equipment hire, among a variety of other uses.

Smaller shows with an audience of 2000 people or less will be eligible for up to $15,000 in funding, while medium and large shows can apply for up to $30,000 and $45,000 respectively.

Cowra is classifieds as a medium show.

Cowra Show Society secretary Graham Eddy said Cowra was preparing an application for the funding which, if successful, would be used for marketing and prizes.

NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the funding would provide a major boost to regional communities across the state, which may have missed shows in 2021.

"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 will help make that happen," Mr Toole said.

Mr Eddy said the grant will give the Cowra Show a better marketing coverage within the local area.

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Mr Toole said the 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.

"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," Mr Toole said.

"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."

Applications close on April 14 or until funding is exhausted.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke described the announcement as "exciting".

"The town's and communities in the electorate are huge on shows, with 25 shows over a 12 month period," Ms Cooke said.

"We have a strong agriculture tradition in our area and these shows have been hit quite hard over the past two years.

"It is really important for us to support these towns and show committees to get these shows back up and runing to ensure the future of our great agricultural shows," Ms Cooke said.

Country shows will receive a further boost with the release of Federal show closure grants on January 28 in which Cowra could be eligible for another $15,000.

"These grants will be incredible for us, it really gets the region moving again," Mr Eddy said.

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