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  4. 7 May 2003

Country Agricultural Shows

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About this Item
SubjectsShows and Showgrounds
SpeakersGeorge Mr Thomas; Price Mr John; Stoner Mr Andrew
BusinessMatter of Public Importance


    COUNTRY AGRICULTURAL SHOWS
Page: 459


    Matter of Public Importance

    Mr GEORGE (Lismore) [9.40 p.m.]: At the outset I congratulate the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales on its recent successful 2003 Royal Easter Show. Again, the National Party was honoured to host this year's showgirls and rural achievers at Parliament House. The Miss Showgirl and rural achievers competitions are not possible without input from country shows; that is where the struggle really begins. Country shows are doing it tough. In my electorate the Bonalbo, Woodenbong, Nimbin, Kyogle, Casino and the North Coast National Lismore shows have had to make serious decisions over the past 12 months as to whether they continue holding annual shows.

    In recent years, all shows throughout New South Wales have faced tremendous losses and that has resulted in a drop in support. Additionally, the shows have faced rising insurance costs and problems associated with maintenance and replacement of rings, buildings, pavilions, toilets, grandstands, et cetera. Most show societies consist of committee members who are getting older and when they face losses and problems they get tired and in some cases lose their enthusiasm. Many showgrounds societies are only trustees looking after government land. They face the never-ending problem of whether to borrow money to build or replace buildings and deal with paying back the loan.

    It takes a lot of hard work by many people to run a country show. An overriding worry over the past twelve months has been the drought. In the past few months the Harness Racing Authority decided that driver-to-driver insurance will not be available to drivers who compete at country shows that do not have a licensed harness racing track. That decision will affect approximately 16 shows throughout the State. Everyone who has an association with shows would realise that harness racing is an important part of the ring events. To the individual rural communities, the annual show means so much more than an annual cash injection. Annual shows provide a focal point for many in the far-flung communities in rural and regional New South Wales.

    Shows unite communities and promote community services; it is their window in which they can show local achievements in livestock, sewing, jam preserving and cake making. The decline of shows is of major concern to me and I am sure to every other member of this House. It is becoming difficult to attract girls to enter the showgirl competitions. I have received a letter from John Gibson, President of Group One, North Coast National Agricultural and Industrial Society Inc., which represents shows from the Tweed through to Grafton. The letter stated:

    The ever increasing burdens of insurances and maintenance of buildings has over the last few years placed many restraints on our shows, as repairs and the general meanness of these grounds take a large majority of the Society's profits and the remainder disappears in Insurances, Rates, Water, Power. This in turn restricts the promotion of special events at most of the shows' annual presentations. Special entertainment is required to enable us to attract larger crowds.

    I know of no other organisation that is supported by such a large number of voluntary workers. As John Gibson stated, communities get behind the shows. His letter outlines the typical problems faced by every show society in New South Wales. Communities raise funds and ask for help by way of volunteer labour, et cetera. However, there is only so much they can do. In close-knit communities people do not have many other places than their showground, if they have one, in which to meet and talk about community matters. The area assistance schemes help with the provision and maintenance of halls and showgrounds in rural areas, but the problem is growing by the day.

    I ask the Minister for his support in addressing the problems in country areas. This problem is not isolated to the north but occurs throughout the State. My comments would be supported by all members of this House who recognise the valuable contributions of country shows to local economies and tourism in country areas. A town that puts on a show attracts people from the region to exhibit their livestock. It also attracts visitors, who inject tourist dollars into the town. We all talk about how much money governments, local councils and other bodies put into showgrounds and local show societies. As a local member it is not uncommon for me to present awards to people for 30 or 40 years of service to showgrounds and the like. The executive members of show societies have given many decades of service to shows.

    The Royal Agricultural Society and NSW Agriculture are concerned about the future of shows. Changes in regional economics, competition and other factors have had an effect on many show societies, and they strongly support this call for more assistance to be given to future local shows. I call on the Carr Government to support this matter of public importance by providing the necessary funds and support to assure the future of country shows in New South Wales. Unless we get behind country shows and support them the societies will face the death knell. It is important that the community and the State contribute to the future of country shows.

    Shows provide the opportunity for people in small communities to show off their wares and to show off their district to the State and to Australia. I congratulate the Royal Agricultural Society on its recent successful Royal Easter Show, but that show will not be successful in future if the local shows are unable to submit entries to it. It is important to keep country shows viable so they can contribute to the success of the yearly Royal Easter Show. More importantly, we have to start at the grassroots level so that the Chris Munces of the world start riding at pony club events such as those held at Casino, Kyogle and Kempsey. We must provide young riders with opportunities on their own doorstep so that they can contribute to the success of country shows in New South Wales.

    Mr PRICE (Maitland) [9.48 p.m.]: I support the matter of public importance raised by the honourable member for Lismore on an issue that is very important for country New South Wales. Each year throughout New South Wales some 200 country shows are held, and they attract about one million visitors and generate about $6 million in turnover. Country shows perform a vital role in rural areas in a number of ways. Shows are important for social interaction, particularly in times of hardship on the land such as the present drought. Shows are an opportunity for entertainment, education and social support for the whole family.

    Country shows showcase various aspects of rural life and farm industries. They do that for local people and for urban visitors, many of whom often have little appreciation of the difficulties of rural life. For example, urban people gain insight into the production systems on farms and the environmental issues and climatic pressures faced on farms every day. The shows also provide an excellent opportunity for farmers to improve their technical knowledge and talk to their fellow farmers. Importantly, the networking is incredibly valuable as farmers often need access to information from agribusiness and government organisations at these shows. Show animals give farmers the opportunity to compare the performance of strains of crops and livestock in their local area.

    The competitive arenas at shows are also great training facilities for equestrian and other sports, particularly for the young people in the district. For example, often these competitions have been the incubators of our internationally successful equestrian teams. Show competitions for livestock, farm produce and crafts also provide exhibitors with the opportunity to gain technical expertise and to view excellence in farm production. These competitions also provide valuable experience and practical skills useful in farm management and rural living.

    NSW Agriculture has had a long-term involvement with country shows. They provide a major extension opportunity for the department's research and development programs. The department also uses them for promotion of disease control measures and improving general industry awareness about disease control. Country shows also provide agribusiness organisations and other government agencies with an extra opportunity to market products and to improve awareness of policy issues. The shows also provide government agencies with an opportunity to gain feedback from rural and regional communities and agricultural industries. Country shows are also places where new ideas are generated—ideas that lead to new developments and directions in departmental programs. As a result of country shows, there are often embryos of new innovations for products that industry provides to the rural communities.

    NSW Agriculture also operates a purpose-designed mobile display unit, often referred to as the Ag Van, at country shows and similar rural events. This van gives NSW Agriculture the opportunity to provide information on a wide range of agricultural issues, from pasture and soil management through to plant pests, weeds, livestock production and natural resource management. There is a strong emphasis on education. This information is also available to people from cities and larger towns who might not have had a chance to learn about agriculture. The interactive displays and takeaway information on a wide range of agricultural issues is an important source of information about rural issues for those people.

    Country shows and the show societies behind them therefore make an important contribution to their local and regional economies in many ways. However, as I stated earlier, country shows are not simply about money, economics and industry. It is no exaggeration to say that country shows encapsulate the qualities of the local town or region in which they are located. They are a showcase for the produce of the primary producers of the town or region; they are a meeting point for the people of the town or region; they are an important communication mechanism for the communities they serve; and they allow old friends to catch up and exchange gossip, yarn to one another.

    For these and other reasons it is not exaggerating to say that country shows are a repository for the culture of the communities they serve. However, in recent years many country shows and country show societies have been under serious financial pressure. In recent years declining rural populations and the falling real incomes of show goers in many areas due to drought and increasing running costs have all taken their toll on shows. Some shows have been forced to close facilities, and some have discontinued altogether. The rising cost of public liability insurance has had a major impact on the shows' running costs in recent years. Public liability insurance is a complex issue that the Government has worked to address in recent years, and we now appear to be achieving some results. The Government will continue to work to ensure that public liability costs and the running costs of show societies are kept at manageable levels.

    As a country member in this Parliament I have a close association with a number of shows. I had a stand and exhibited at Maitland Show. I understand what the honourable member for Lismore says about the need for the harness racing industry to be maintained in country areas wherever possible. I also understand the concern of the industry about the need for rationalisation. There is a need for rationalisation, but also some thought must be given to the economic impact on the industry itself and on the impact on local areas caused by the use of the showgrounds. Certainly the Government will do what it can to assist in that area, but it is essentially an industry issue and something that must be addressed by the local participants and by the State industry as a whole.

    I attended the Gresford Showground Trust luncheon at the last Gresford Show. It was my pleasure to meet with the president of the Royal Agricultural Society, Arthur Bragg, and to be his guest at the Royal Easter Show. I am always amazed at the way the volunteer element in country areas comes to the fore with the organisation and operation of country shows. It amazes me that with fairly meagre assets the local townspeople can put together an event that runs for two days, attracting literally thousands of people, and somehow manage to put on a fireworks display that would put most country show areas to shame. It thrills the kids. The country and western night is something to be seen. If you are my age you make sure you leave by six o'clock, but the kids have a ball.

    As well as the camp drafting and the equestrian events we now have the trail bike riding competition. It is a pretty perilous occupation, but young people of 19 feel that they are made of steel, that they are never going to die, and they perform some amazing feats. It demonstrates the calibre of our country citizens and the lengths they are prepared to go to entertain themselves with minimum input from government. Like most other honourable members in country electorates, I have been asked for assistance for country shows. I am pleased to advise that in the case of the Dungog showground, where there was a very serious storm about 18 months ago, the Government has put in $20,000 to replace a canteen building for the Apex Club and, through grants and loans, has provided another $5,000 for the restoration of some of the damaged rodeo fencing structures.

    The Government gave the Gresford show approximately $5,000 for a works program to make the buildings comply with the Building Code of Australia and, more recently, money for stock pens. So the Government does supply money from time to time from several avenues. I congratulate the previous Minister for Land and Water Conservation, who in the last few months of the previous Government provided about $220,000 for projects in this State: in Albury, $34,000 for the completion of works at Watsons Hall; in Braidwood, $6,000 for the connection of power supply to the commercial area; in Kempsey, $4,427 for the installation of emergency lighting and fire protection equipment; in Maclean, $11,000 for electrical works; in Morisset, $18,000 for electrical works; and in Parkes, $12,000 for the installation of bore water supply. The list goes on. The Government has given great assistance, and I believe that assistance will be maintained and expanded.

    Mr STONER (Oxley) [9.58 p.m.]: It is wonderful to see the honourable member for Illawarra in the chair. Agricultural shows across New South Wales play an important role in educating people about the operation and benefits of agriculture as well as providing exhibitors and visitors alike with a significant amount of enjoyment. The Royal Easter Show Great Australian Muster is the largest annual event in Australia. The Royal Easter Show is run by the Royal Agricultural Society [RAS] of New South Wales, a not-for-profit organisation which was established in 1822. This year's Easter show, which ran over 14 days, attracted approximately 900,000 visitors, while the show's web site recorded 120 million hits in just six weeks.

    Each year during the Easter show the country comes to the city and, as such, it is a wonderful way of breaking down the city-country divide. Visitors to the show and to the web site are provided with an invaluable insight into the world of agriculture. Providing education about agriculture is becoming increasingly important as more of our young people are born and bred in cities and are not exposed to agricultural activities. The RAS has a proud history of advancing the cause of agriculture in New South Wales. The decision to form an agricultural society was made by a group of Sydney's leading citizens at a meeting in George Street way back in 1822 with the aim of furthering the quality of Australia's primary production by means of contests and competitions.

    Since the first show was held in Parramatta in 1823 the RAS has met this objective admirably and has provided millions of Australians and tourists with their only direct contact with farm animals and other agricultural pursuits. Over 20,000 schoolchildren from across New South Wales were treated to a virtual classroom of a different kind when they visited this year's show. With no school holidays falling during the show period almost 200 secondary schools and 117 primary schools took advantage of the innovative schools program offered by the RAS. Primary schools were offered specially themed animal and farm tours, while secondary students had the choice of a range of activities, including designing their own product exhibits, judging fine cheese and meeting young exhibitors at the show.

    I commend the RAS for its excellent Rural Achievers Award, which recognises young Australians who have an interest in rural affairs and demonstrate an active involvement in their local show society. While the Royal Easter Show goes from strength to strength, smaller agricultural shows in country centres across New South Wales must not be forgotten. As the honourable member for Lismore said earlier, where would the entries for the Royal Easter Show come from if it were not for country shows?

    Last year approximately 200 such agricultural shows were held in New South Wales, attracting around one million visitors. In my electorate of Oxley, the Camden Haven, Comboyne, Wauchope, Kempsey and Macksville shows, which are institutions, make an important contribution to the Royal Easter Show each year. For example, this year 14-year-old Francis Waddell of Bowraville won the Australasian under 25 junior herdsman title—the youngest person ever to win this award. Michael Sultana of Kundabung won the first prize in the K. H. Harris memorial trophy for best bacon type sow under nine months. Daryl and Nea Hosking of Lake Innes, which is near Wauchope, won 15 ribbons for their dairy goats, including the senior reserve champion all breeds award. Hugh Aitken of Macksville won numerous prices in the poultry section, establishing Nambucca as a centre of excellence for poultry.

    Geoff and Mary Butler of Kamawa Santa Gertrudis Stud near Wauchope won the blue ribbon in the senior bull class. Those prizes were awarded to constituents in my electorate of Oxley. What a great contribution to a great show! These shows represent a great day for the whole family, with displays of flowers, farm produce, cooking, art and craft, farm animals, fireworks, sideshow rides, show bags, wood chopping and the grand parade. They provide a valuable boost to local town economies both from the point of view of tourism and the opportunities given to local suppliers of produce and local goods.

    There has been and will continue to be problems for show societies with insurance cover, as well as increasing difficulties in attracting volunteers to cover the required workload, and meeting maintenance costs on show society assets. Ageing infrastructure is also a matter of concern to many show societies. This Government must do more to help local show societies continue their important work. The National Party is committed to working with show societies, with the Federal and State governments and with all other interested parties to promote agricultural shows across New South Wales.

    Mr GEORGE (Lismore) [10.03 p.m.], in reply: I thank the honourable member for Maitland and the honourable member for Oxley for their contributions to debate on this matter of public importance. After hearing the contribution of the Leader of the National Party I almost became tangled up in the grand parade. His contribution was a good example of what happens at country shows. I thank the Government for recently providing Nimbin Show Society with $13,000 in funding. After trying to obtain funding for several years the show society finally achieved its goal in the last few months. I am sure that members of the Nimbin Show Society would want me to place on record their appreciation.

    The honourable member for Oxley made an important point that must be reinforced. We cannot underestimate the benefits that are to be derived by students living in towns being given an opportunity to visit country shows and experience life in the country. We must continue to provide that sort of education to students in this State. The honourable member for Oxley referred also to the problem of insurance. The biggest single issue facing show societies today is the insurance required to run shows and provide insurance for buildings. I refer to a letter sent to me by Ian Mulligan, Secretary of the North Coast National Agricultural and Industrial Society Inc., which states in part:

    Our Showgrounds are owned partly by the Crown [about 18 acres] and the North Coast National Showground Trust [about 65 acres].

    The society had to spend money to obtain an evaluation of its assets for insurance purposes. The society believes that buildings located on the showground are worth over $10 million. Imagine the sort of insurance bill that would have to be paid. It is costing the society over $1,000 a week in insurance, whether or not there is a show, and the yearly insurance bill is $50,000. I am sure that every show society is faced with that sort of problem. As many of these societies, showground trusts or public halls are located on Crown land I implore the Government to establish whether it is able to provide blanket insurance cover for all these trusts. Insurance costs are precluding many showground trusts from operating. Those costs are virtually putting these organisations out of business.

    The honourable member for Oxley said earlier that we will support any government that attempts to resolve the problem being faced by showground trusts and public halls right across this State. Showgrounds provide the community with a focal point. The Government must address these issues. I thank all those honourable members who contributed to debate on this matter of public importance. We must ensure the future of country shows and country halls.

    Discussion concluded.

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