After being cancelled this year due to Covid-19, Lismore and Nimbin Shows are about to get a slice of $34 million Federal Government funding to ensure they can bounce back in 2021.

The North Coast National Agricultural & Industrial Society Inc (Lismore Show) will receive $70,000 and Nimbin Agricultural & Industrial Society Inc (Nimbin Show) will receive $10,000.

North Coast National president John Gibson said the money was a big boost to the local show, which, like all shows, had incurred expenses even though the event was cancelled.

“We are always maintaining the showground still need to mow lawns, fix water pipes and buildings,” he said.

“We also have office costs and bills leading up to the event that was cancelled and this helps partly reimburse us for the money we spent.

Mr Gibson said that the support of Page MP Kevin Hogan was what allowed the Government to take notice of how important the regional show was.

“Shows are a vital part of regional and rural country life. It’s great, but sad that it’s taken Covid for the Government to realise the importance of regional shows.”

Assuming next year’s show will go ahead (depending on what happens with Covid) Mr Gibson said it will be a bit different to previous years.

“We’ll need to get set up with the QR code technology and ticket system and train staff and volunteers on the gates,” he said.

“At the moment we are allowed to have 5000 people on the ground at any one time and we could see further relaxations as time goes on.

“The show costs $600,000 to put on so it’s important we get enough people through the gates so we don’t go broke.”

Mr Gibson said having the show run again was also important to keep the showmen of sideshow alley in business, who had already been hard hit after 10 months out of business.

Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said the first payments under the Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days program will roll out before Christmas.

“Two months ago, we launched this significant package to reimburse eligible costs for shows and field days who had to cancel because of Covid-19,” Mr Hogan said.

“I am pleased to announce that a number of shows and field days have been approved for funding to help ease cash-flow pressures.”

“For some shows, this comes on top of support already received through the Federal Government’s $20 million Agricultural Show Development Grants program to upgrade, maintain or build new infrastructure.”

“These events bring our families and farmers together, build community spirit and help bridge the divide between country and city. They also help farmers stay competitive by providing an opportunity to share innovation and new ways of doing business.

“They are uniquely Australian and provide huge economic spin-offs for the local communities hosting them as well as opportunities for the businesses and services who exhibit.”