The recent National Finals held at Perth Royal produced some of the best results NSW has seen in many years culminating in the overwhelming win of the Keast Shield.

The week commenced with the National Rural Ambassador competition and our representative Tim Green from Nimmitabel Show was awarded Runner Up in this prestigious event.

Following on, was the National Young Judges and Parading Competitions. 2019 saw the inaugural Alpaca Young Judges National Finals take place with Rubey Williams from Picton NSW crowned the winner.

Our other competitors also did NSW proud showing their knowledge, experience and commitment to these competitions.

Sam Parish – Beef Parader Champion

Tabitha Cross – Beef Young Judge Runner Up

Kieran Smith – Meat Breeds Sheep Champion

Jack Kelly – Merino Sheep Runner Up

Stephanie Davies – Merino Fleece Champion

Mitchell Atkins – Dairy Young Judges 3^rd and Dairy Parader Finalist

Hannah Jenkins – Poultry Finalist

Witnessing the mateship and confidence in this team highlighted the fact that I believe the preparation weekend in Dubbo in August contributed greatly to our overall success.

Our thoughts are with those who are currently struggling as a result of these devastating bushfires. Not only are many of our members courageously part of this incredible team of firefighters they are also proudly supporting their communities by providing support and access to showgrounds as Evacuation Centres and Bushfire Refuge Centres.

Unfortunately some of our members have been impacted severely and as a result are unable to hold their annual Ag Show.  Please check our website for individual show updates. Safety, community welfare and the sustainability of agriculture are the main priority of our shows.

Sincerely

Tim Capp

President

2020 ASC AWARDS ARE OPEN!

It is coming up to that time of the year again to start thinking about nominations for the following ASC Awards: Click on the links for the application forms.

President’s Innovation Award (prize money $3,500)

Award for Excellence (prize money $500 and $200 per finalist)

Show Dedication Award (prize money $500 and $200 per finalist)

Two new Awards have been introduced:

Supporting your Community through Fire Award (prize money $1000 and $250 per finalist)

Supporting your Community through Drought Award (prize money $1000 and $250 per finalist)

Nominations close Friday 14^th February, 2020.  Awards are presented at the ASC AGM on Friday April 03, 2020. 

Drought Stimulus-Country Shows Sponsorship Packages

Ongoing drought and bushfire conditions are making it hard for many towns and communities to run country shows.  This funding will help these critical, morale-boosting events to go ahead.

Objective

Deliver economic stimulus and boost the liveability of communities in drought and bushfire affected areas by providing funding as a sponsorship package for country shows in 2020.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants are show organising committees.

Other requirements:

• The country show must be in regional NSW (outside of Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong metropolitan areas) to be eligible for sponsorship
• Applications are limited to one NSW Government sponsorship per show in a calendar year
• Only shows that are going ahead in 2020, or combining with nearby shows, are eligible to receive funding
• If a show has already been cancelled, show organising committees are encouraged to make contact to discuss what other funding support may be available
• Shows that have received other NSW Government funding support to be held in 2020 are not eligible
• Applications for funding must be submitted before the show has taken place. No funding can be approved if the application is made after the show has been held.

Eligible expenses

Examples of eligible activities include:

• Reduced stall fees for locally-based community organisations and local businesses
• Locally-incurred expenses such as hiring equipment and other services
• Marketing and promotion material for the show, if spent locally
• Contributions to awards and prizes for competitions
• Costs to support show exhibits and events
• Other expenses may be considered if it can be shown that the expenditure will be incurred in the local economy. The majority of the funding should be allocated towards locally-incurred expenditure.

Ineligible expenses

Examples of ineligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

• Fees and charges that are already covered by other sources or contributors
• Reduced stall fees for non-local based businesses (i.e. showbag stalls or rides from outside the local area)
• Significant non-local based overheads and expenses (i.e. insurance premiums)
• Rent or hire fees for showgrounds and/or facilities
• Activities associated with alcohol consumption or gambling.

Funding

A sponsorship package of up to $5,000 is available for each country show held in 2020.

Shows that are combining with other shows from the surrounding area may be granted a higher amount if requested.  Initially, priority will be given to shows being held in the first half of 2020.

Purpose

Country Show Sponsorship Packages aims to ensure shows can continue with increased funding certainty, flow money through local businesses and support communities overcoming the negative economic and social impacts of drought and bushfires.

How to apply

Eligible applicants can submit a simple application form through SmartyGrants(external link). Information required includes:

• Country Show name
• Funding amount requested
• How the drought/bushfire has impacted the community’s ability to hold the show(s)
• An itemised breakdown of the proposed activities, goods or service to be funded.

Applicants who are successful in receiving sponsorship funding will be required to provide a copy of the Show’s Public Liability Insurance.

At the completion of the project, applicants will be required to provide a brief report on the description of activities that were funded; evidence of how the funding was spent; and evidence of acknowledgement of the NSW Government as a show sponsor.

Timing and key dates

Applications open late January 2020. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application within seven days of being submitted.

Funding Deed and payment will be made within 14 days of return by the applicant.

A completion report is required from successful applicants within three months of the show.

Contact

For more information, please contact Regional NSW on 1300 679 673.