Fiona Phillips (Gilmore, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like to share with the House the rich tradition that agricultural show societies hold across the electorate of Gilmore. From the Kiama Show Society in the north, which just a few weeks ago hosted its 174th Kiama Show, to the Moruya Showground in the south, home to the Eurobodalla agricultural show society, which commemorated a major milestone in January—their sesquicentenary, 150 years of agricultural and pastoral heritage for the region. Then, just last weekend, the Nowra Show Society overcame COVID worries and delivered an outstanding show, with gate takings believed to be the biggest on record. Forward to the first weekend in March, and focus turns to the Milton Show Society and the happiest of rituals, whereby local schoolchildren participate in the Friday grand parade.

Additionally, I need to convey a message of support and appreciation to both the Berry Show Committee and Auxiliary and the Kangaroo Valley Agricultural and Horticultural Association for their respective shows at Berry and Kangaroo Valley, except for the heartbreaking but understandable decision of cancellation again this year. Given the surge of omicron cases, the complexities in delivering a safe environment for volunteers and the broader community visiting was a reckoning factor. Ask anyone involved with their local show and they will tell you that planning for next year starts the very next day after the close. Here's hoping for the return of a full show schedule across Gilmore in 2023.