Steph Cooke | 12 Sep 2022 | Agriculture Community Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council Local projects News Tourism Uncategorized
The 2022 Cootamundra Show, to be held on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 October will be bigger and better than ever thanks to support from the NSW Government’s Country Shows Support Package.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the program has already delivered over $125,000 to country shows across the electorate, with the Cootamundra APH & I Association securing $30,000 to support their delivery of this year’s show.
“These grants provide certainty to show organisers to lock in suppliers, hire equipment and purchase goods, which is also great news for local businesses,” Ms Cooke said.
“Our local shows are a fantastic tradition, with this grant ensuring they continue to delight and be a part of our history for many generations to come.
“I encourage everyone to get behind the Cootamundra Show this year and see all the amazing things they have on offer.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the $5 million Country Shows Support Package provides a funding opportunity for the 190 agricultural shows that are planned across NSW in 2022.
“It’s been a tough few years for country shows, with drought, bushfires, storms, floods and COVID-19 disrupting plans, but as they say, the show must go on and these grants are helping make that happen,” Mr Toole said.
“Country shows are the heartbeat of so many rural communities – they not only celebrate the best of the best in the community but allow visitors to experience the tastes, sights and sounds of the bush.”
The $5 million Country Shows Support Package is part of the NSW Government’s $200 million Regional Recovery Package, which will deliver long term support and certainty for the regions as the state reopens.
Steph Cooke | 30 Aug 2022 | Community Cowra Shire News Tourism Uncategorized
Cowra showground is set to power ahead after the completion of an amenities upgrade that will allow its heritage pavilion to better-cater for users, from major events to guests at weddings and 21sts, wine aficionados and the tireless volunteers at CWA meetings.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said a $132,535 NSW Government investment has made the toilets inside the pavilion accessible for all regardless of age or ability.
“The complete refurbishment of the amenities block came in time for the Cowra Wine Show, the Australian Single Vineyard Wine Show and NSW Dorset Championships sheep competition, to name just a few recent big events,” Ms Cooke said.
“This upgrade delivered clean and modern amenities that will allow the Heritage Pavilion to power ahead and attract more local, state and national events, while playing a vital role as a gathering point and logistical hub during bushfires and floods.”
The new toilets for the town’s famous pavilion, which replaced 50-year-old facilities, now include automatic soap dispensers, new hand dryers, proper waterproofing, new tiling, wiring and lighting, a fresh coat of paint, and proper partitions.
Minister for Lands and Water and Minister for Hospitality and Racing Kevin Anderson said Cowra Showground Racecourse and Paceway is a Crown Reserve, with the upgrade supported by a $132,535 grant from the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund.
“Crown reserves play a critical role in protecting the local environment and supporting communities with everything from showgrounds and racecourses to community halls, parks, ovals and green open spaces,” Mr Anderson said.
“Every cent for the heritage pavilion upgrade went to local tradespeople, so our investment supported jobs in Cowra while leaving an important community legacy.”
The 2022 Barellan Show, to be held on Saturday 27 August will be bigger and better than ever thanks to support from the NSW Government’s Country Shows Support Package.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the program has already delivered over $125,000 to country shows across the electorate, with the Barellan Show Society securing $15,000 to support their delivery of this year’s show.
“These grants provide certainty to show organisers to lock in suppliers, hire equipment and purchase goods, which is also great news for local businesses,” Ms Cooke said.
“Our local shows are a fantastic tradition, with this grant ensuring they continue to delight and be a part of our history for many generations to come.
“I encourage everyone to get behind the Barellan Show this year and see all the amazing things they have on offer.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the $5 million Country Shows Support Package provides a funding opportunity for the 190 agricultural shows planned across NSW in 2022.
“It’s been a tough few years for country shows, with drought, bushfires, storms, floods and COVID-19 disrupting plans, but as they say, the show must go on and these grants are helping make that happen,” Mr Toole said.
“Country shows are the heartbeat of so many rural communities – they not only celebrate the best of the best in the community but allow visitors to experience the tastes, sights and sounds of the bush.”
The $5 million Country Shows Support Package is part of the NSW Government’s $200 million Regional Recovery Package, which will deliver long-term support and certainty for the regions as the state reopens.
Steph Cooke | 12 Aug 2022 | Agriculture Bland Shire News Tourism Uncategorized
The 2022 Ungarie Show, to be held on Saturday 10th September, will be bigger and better than ever thanks to support from the NSW Government’s Country Shows Support Package.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the program has already delivered over $125,000 to country shows across the electorate, with the Ungarie Show Society securing $14,600 to support the delivery of this year’s show.
“Our local shows are a fantastic tradition, with this grant ensuring they continue to delight and be a part of our history for many generations to come.”
“I encourage everyone to get behind the Ungarie Show this year and see all the amazing things they have to offer.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the $5 million Country Shows Support Package provides a funding opportunity for the 190 agricultural shows that are planned across NSW in 2022.
“It’s been a tough few years for country shows, with drought, bushfires, storms, floods and COVID-19 disrupting plans, but as they say, the show must go on and these grants are helping make that happen,” Mr Toole said.
“Country shows are the heartbeat of so many rural communities – they not only celebrate the best of the best in the community but allow visitors to experience the tastes, sights and sounds of the bush.”
The $5 million Country Shows Support Package is part of the NSW Government’s $200 million Regional Recovery Package, which will deliver long term support and certainty for the regions as the state reopens.
Temora and Ariah Park shows are hoping to come back stronger than ever, thanks to NSW Government Country Shows Support Package.
Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke said the Country Shows Support Package, has seen another two local country shows successful in their applications. Ariah Park show is set to receive $5,863 while Temora Show Society is set to receive $15,000 to support the delivery of their 2022 show.
“These grants will provide certainty to show organisers to lock in suppliers, hire equipment and purchase goods, which is also great news for local businesses,” Ms Cooke said.
“Our local shows are a fantastic tradition and this grant will ensure they continue to delight people and be a part of our history for many generations to come.”
“I encourage everyone to get behind their local show and see all the amazing things they have to offer,”
“From the demolition derby and tractor pull, to the quick-sheep-shear and working dog display, there is something for everyone to enjoy and experience at our country and agricultural shows.”
Frances Dwyer, Secretary of the Ariah Park Show Society said that the society was very appreciative and grateful for the funds after a difficult couple of years.
“This money will go a long way towards supporting this great country show of ours and in turn will support our local economy. We are looking forward to being able to come back in 2022 stronger than ever.”
Steph Cooke | 08 Jul 2022 | Community Hilltops Council Local projects News Tourism Uncategorized
Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke has welcomed the official unveiling of a bronze, life-size sculpture of Australia’s greatest war horse, ‘Bill the Bastard’, at a ceremony in Harden Murrumburrah.
Ms Cooke said it was fantastic to see the statue in-situ at Murrumburrah, the birthplace of the Australian Light Horse.
“This project has been a long time in the works and is an absolute credit to the dedication and perseverance of many deeply passionate members in this community.
“Bill is a source of great pride for all involved and an absolute drawcard to Harden Murrumburrah and the Hilltops region more broadly.”
The project was made possible thanks to over $400,000 in funding from the NSW Government’s Stronger Communities Fund.
Major donations and contributions alongside that of the NSW Government were:
$200,000 raised amongst the local community,
$100,000 from the Kruger Trust,
$80,000 from Harden Regional Development Corporation,
$30,000 from Mr Bill Gibbons of Victoria.
The ‘Bill the Bastard’ statue was created by local sculptor Mr Carl Valerius and bronzed by Mr Matt Crawford of Crawford’s Casting.
Speaking at the unveiling, Mr Valerius said it was a fabulous outcome for the community.
“To have an idea and believe in it, you can achieve almost anything. I thank the State Government for their support and belief in a little old sculpture in a town like Murrumburrah.”
Special guests present at the ceremony also included Brigadier Glen Ryan from Victoria Barracks in Sydney, along with 97yr old Mr Keith Taylor who travelled from Uranquinty for the occasion.
The sculpture of ‘Bill the Bastard’ and his five riders can be found at the 1st Australian Horse and Australian Light Horse Memorial precinct in Murrumburrah.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke congratulated the launch of a statewide strategic plan to boost holiday parks on Crown land, with hopes the Wyangala Waters park near Wyangala Dam will benefit from a planned boost in regional tourism.
Ms Cooke said the NSW Government has announced a $28 million loan to the Reflections Holiday Parks group to invest in capital upgrades to support the rollout of its new 2030 Strategic Plan.
“Wyangala Waters is a tourism gem and one of 37 iconic holiday parks managed by Reflections on Crown land across NSW,” Ms Cooke said.
“Our local park at Wyangala Dam attracts over 20,000 guests each year with outdoor attractions like fishing, water-skiing and bushwalking and accommodation ranging from cabins, cottages and bungalows to powered and unpowered camping sites.”
“Our region stands to prosper from further promotion of local events and outdoor activities, investment in park assets, and development of Aboriginal cultural experiences that can also benefit local Aboriginal communities and businesses.”
“The Reflections strategic plan aims to provide high quality affordable holidays that make the most of the great outdoors to bring families and tourists back to nature.”
Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson and Reflections Holiday Parks CEO Nick Baker launched the Reflection group’s strategic plan at Lake Keepit on Monday.
“This strategic plan will for all in-tents and purposes showcase the very best of regional NSW to people who are looking to get out of the big smoke and see what this beautiful state has to offer,” Mr Anderson said.
“The NSW Government is investing in communities by working with Reflections to improve their services. This will mean more campers and caravanners visiting regional communities, spending money in local shops leading to more jobs in regional NSW.”
Reflections Holiday Parks CEO Nick Baker said the strategic plan backed by the NSW Government will support the group’s goal to generate $214 million in economic value for NSW annually by FY2030 through boosted tourism, with profits reinvested into parks, better facilities and supporting local communities. “As a profit for purpose Crown Land Manager, Reflections is focused on being a leader in nature-driven escapes and we can’t wait for our guests and visitors to get out to our parks and swap screen time with green time, Mr Baker said.
The 2030 Reflections Strategic Plan can be viewed here.
