AS excitement builds for the 2022 Beaudesert Show in September, the federal government has announced round 2 of their Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days program will open on 28 January 2022.
Agriculture Minister David Littleproud and Wright MP Scott Buchholz said the Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days program was a way to give show societies a much-needed cash injection after the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Buchholz said the funding support was about ensuring community connection and the viability of important local agricultural shows.
"Economics aside, agricultural shows and field days are a great day out and provide the much-needed opportunity for communities to come together, catch up and support each other," he said.
"These grants will provide show societies with the support and confidence they need to go ahead and plan events in 2022. Every year, our local shows put on a great display of local produce and people, not only to locals but to the thousands of visitors from across the South East corner.
"Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we have seen many shows interrupted and even cancelled, along with many other events that we would normally see hosted at various grounds across the region, this funding is about supporting our societies and getting through to the other side."
Boonah Show Society president Beth Hearn said a grant in 2020 filled a gap that allowed the show to bounce back the following year.
"No shows were held at all (in 2020) so that funding was spread out across all show societies," she said.
"We got $70,000 which gave us the money to pay things like insurance and general running expenses. Otherwise we would have been scratching to find the funds to put the show on, so that was a huge help to all show societies.
"We had a hugely successful show last year and we're well advanced with all our planning for this year."
Mr Littleproud said Agricultural shows and field days generated more than $1 billion in sales for small businesses every year.
"For some communities and charities, agricultural shows or field days are the financial boost they need to get them through the year," he said.
Applications for grants ranging from $10,000 to $70,000 in the second round of funding open on January 28 and close on February 17.
The government said funds would help cover expenses incurred for events cancelled in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Agricultural shows and field days that attracted up to 1999 people in 2018 or 2019 could apply for up to $10,000, those that recorded up 2000 to 4999 visitors could be eligible for up to $15,000 and shows that had more than 5000 attendees could apply for up to $70,000.
Further information will be available on 28 January 2022 from the Community Grants Hub website communitygrants.gov.au.
