Grant likely for Bunyip show
The Bunyip Show, cancelled at the 11th hour in late March when coronavirus containment restrictions were announced, might get a welcome financial boost.
The Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Agriculture Minister David Littleproud last week announced the government would provide a total of $36 million to support agricultural and Royal shows that had to be called off due to limitations on crowd gatherings.
Bunyip and district agricultural society secretary Natalie O’Connor said an application for the assistance would definitely be made.
However, it first required a check of records from the 2019 show to find out how many people attended the event which determine the level of grant the society could seek.
Under the program outlined last week show societies that had crowds less than 2000 last year can apply for up to $10,000.
If the number was between 2000 and 4999 the grant could be as much as $15,000 and for larger attendances there was a maximum of $70,000.
Ms O’Connor said Bunyip was one of the first shows that had to cancel this year.
“It was a huge disappointment after a lot of effort had been put into organising new attractions and events and strengthening the family focus”.
And many people had put their hands up to help out, she said.
The Bunyip Show was first held in 1900 and Ms O’Connor said the government funding would go a long way towards making next year’s show bigger and better than ever.
The funding is a one-off reimbursement to ease cash flow pressures caused by cancellation of shows due to COVID-19.
The Warragul Show went ahead as scheduled at the start of March and will not be eligible for the government assistance.