Grant wins for Natimuk, Horsham
Natimuk district community has had a major win with a community pavilion at Natimuk Showground earmarked for a major upgrade.
The Federal Government has allocated almost $500,000 for the project in $1.099-million in funding for Mallee electorate agricultural show societies.
Horsham is also a winner, with the government allocating $125,000 for upgrade work at Maydale Reserve in Horsham Showground.
Natimuk Agricultural and Pastoral Society secretary Judith Bysouth said the money would go towards a major re-fit of a kitchen, roof, ceiling lining, air-conditioning and carpet at the pavilion.
“It’s a complete makeover of the building except for the toilets. These renovations will ensure the pavilion meets current health and safety regulations,” she said.
“The Natimuk society owns the land but the broad benefit is for the Natimuk community and all the community and sporting groups that regularly use the showground – for weddings, funerals, football and netball and school sports days. It’s a massive win for the community.”
Mrs Bysouth said some of the money would also go to developing digital virtual-reality show attractions.
“This part is really exciting. We have world-renowned expertise in Natimuk in this field, where opportunities have and can be further explored using multimedia platforms,” she said.
Mrs Bysouth said the society had worked with Horsham Rural City Council to secure an $80,000 10-year loan as part of its contribution to the project.
She said planning was now underway for next year’s annual Natimuk Show and for a milestone 130th show in 2022, which would be in conjunction with Back to Natimuk celebrations.
The money for Horsham Agricultural Society will go towards works to assess power supply and install additional power outlets at Maydale Reserve.
It will also help with costs to upgrade outdoor lighting, construct a roof over toilets, build a disabled toilet and relocate a show office to Maydale Pavilion.
Cohuna and District Agricultural Pastoral and Horticultural Society is also a Mallee electorate society to attract money through the Regional
Agricultural Show Development Grants program.
Cohuna society will use $475,000 to replace a pavilion at Cohuna Recreation Reserve.
Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said the grants would be of benefit to both agricultural show societies and regional communities.
“Agricultural shows are the heart and soul of our regional communities. They bring and keep communities together, bridge the divide between country and city and provide a key injection into the local economy,” he said.
Member for Mallee Anne Webster said the grants would help make three shows across Mallee bigger and better than ever.
“The annual agricultural show is always a big event, and thanks to this grant our next one will be better than ever,” she said.
“A range of infrastructure works, from small-scale upgrades to major overhauls and new builds will benefit not only our shows, but our communities throughout the year and in emergency situations like we saw with the recent bushfires.
“I want to see our shows continue to grow in popularity and bridge the divide between country and city.”
The Mallee funding is part of a national $20-million program for 122 agricultural show societies.