MAFFRA and District Agricultural, Pastoral and Horticultural Society and Sale and District Agricultural Society will receive money as part of the state government’s Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants Program.
Maffra’s society will receive $10,000 to upgrade one of its display pavilions, known as the ‘old wool sheep pavilion’, president Tim Dwyer confirmed.
“It will be fully lined – part of the old verandah will be enclosed for storage and some old roof iron will be replaced,” he said.
“With our new dome project also being built to house food and wine and some trade exhibits, the old wool pavilion will now be used fully for craft and floral exhibits.”
Earlier this month, the federal government announced Maffra and District Agricultural Society would receive more than $254,000 to build an all-weather dome over part of its cattle pavilion.
Sale’s society received $10,000 from the state government to build spectator seating around the Sale Showgrounds arena.
The society plans for the seating to be used during the Sale Show’s Friday night carnival and other arena events over the three days, as well as throughout the year for showjumping events.
The new portable aluminium seating will replace the aged timber tiered seating.
Yarram Agricultural Society also recieved $7779 to upgrade its current equipment, including its furnishings used for staging and viewing exhibits.
The local societies are three of 39 to share in $300,000 in the latest round of state government funding.
The grants of up to $10,000 will help societies to upgrade or establish new facilities, encourage greater local involvement in show activities, create opportunities for agricultural businesses to engage with the community and enhance business activities to help in show planning.
The funding will ensure communities that have had to cancel or postpone shows because of the coronavirus pandemic, such as Sale and Maffra, can have upgraded facilities for future events.
Announcing the successful applicants, Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes said agricultural shows were a beloved part of regional Victoria.
” … they play an important role by promoting agriculture and showcasing local art, craft and artisanal produce,” she said.
“These grants will not only improve our regional annual shows, but they’ll also benefit the whole community through the various events hosted at these facilities throughout the year.”
The eligible projects are expected to deliver events that provide a direct benefit to agricultural communities, building confidence in agriculture and supporting regional economies and jobs.
