RASQ looks to council to fill funding void
THE Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland is committed to trying to stage a Heritage Bank Toowoomba Royal Show in 2021 – but it will be a “very much reduced” event if it is unable to secure additional funding.
Four out of the past six shows have either been washed out or, as in March, cancelled by COVID-19.
Having to call off the show six days before gates were due to open earlier this year meant the society had to foot the bill for an estimated $350,000 in “unrecoverable costs”, CEO Damon Phillips said.
Mr Phillips said the society would front a Toowoomba Regional Council meeting tomorrow to request a one-off grant of $150,000.
“We calculated that … if we were to run somewhat of a normal show – with some horse, livestock, cattle events, that’s probably the additional fixed costs,” he said.
“We’re committed to running the show as best we can, but without support there’ll be no livestock events.”
Mr Phillips said the society was financially “not in a position to take any risks – such as spending a lot of time and money on personnel now to put together a show”.
“We can’t afford to take the risk that if restrictions change or don’t change heading into next year, and the potential then for another cancellation – it would just be disastrous for us.”
The Federal Government’s $36 million Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days program meant the society could apply for a grant of up to $70,000.
Mr Phillips said while the society was appreciative of the funding opportunity, more was needed.
In 2021, the public holiday traditionally held on the Thursday of the show has been moved to the Friday.
Mr Phillips said that would hopefully spread the crowd out over the three days, rather than the typical two big days on the Thursday and Saturday.