The Lilydale Show may be able to recoup some funds from the cancelled 2021 event with the next round of a Federal Government grant program opening at the end of the month.
Applications under round two of the Government’s Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days program will open on 28 January.
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said the Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days program is a way to give show societies a much-needed cash injection after the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Agricultural shows and field days generate over $1 billion in sales for small businesses every year,” Minister Littleproud said.
“For some communities and charities, agricultural shows or field days are the financial boost they need to get them through the year.
“Not only are they essential for business, agricultural shows and field days provide a way for people to show off their latest innovations and technology, increasing productivity and profitability for all involved in the agriculture sector.”
Grants from $10,000 to $70,000, based on the 2018 or 2019 attendee numbers, will be available for eligible show societies and field days organisations to help provide the confidence and resilience they need to go ahead and plan their events in 2022 and beyond.
Applicants will be able to claim for eligible expenditure incurred for events cancelled in the period from 1 January to 31 December 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“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,” Minister Littleproud said.
“These grants provide show societies and field days organisations with the confidence they need to go ahead and plan their events in 2022 and beyond.”
Applications for this program will close on 17 February.
