Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton inspected the new seating and shade sails at Binnaway Showground with Binnaway Show Society president Harry Powell.
Visitors to the 2021 Binnaway Show this weekend will be able to enjoy greater comfort while taking in all the action, thanks to the completion of seating and shade upgrades made possible with a $88,763.25 Commonwealth grant.
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton inspected the upgraded facilities during the official opening of the new Binnaway Multipurpose Arena on Friday.
“It’s great to be here today to see just what a difference these upgrades have made to the Binnaway Showground, which has never looked better,” Mr Coulton said.
“The Binnaway Show Society was one of eight agricultural show societies in the Parkes electorate to receive funding through the Regional Agricultural Show Development Grants program to reinvigorate their showgrounds.
“Country shows are often a highlight on the social calendar for these regional communities and this funding has helped local volunteers rejuvenate their facilities to attract more visitors as they look to bounce back from a few difficult years due to drought and COVID-19.
“The Binnaway Show Society has put its funding to good use, completing a range of projects to improve seating and shade facilities which I’m sure will be very welcomed by show-goers this weekend.”
Works included new timber decking and a fresh coat of paint for the existing grandstand, upgrades to the poultry pavilion, the installation of permanent outdoor seating, the purchase and construction of portable picnic tables and a portable grandstand, and the installation of a shade sail and solar panels.
Binnaway Show Society president Harry Powell thanked Mr Coulton and the Federal Government for the grant which he said has enabled the hard-working team of volunteers to make some much-needed improvements to the showground.
“Our stakeholders have been asking for more seating and shade on the grounds and this grant has enabled us to deliver on that in time for the 2021 Show and arena opening event,” Mr Powell said.
“Being able to insulate and re-roof the poultry pavilion will make it far more comfortable and safer for the animals and handlers on Show day.
“The installation of solar panels will enable us to be more environmentally friendly as well as generating ongoing cost savings to our operations.
“We are very grateful to Mark for his ongoing support and the Australian Government for the funding to improve the grounds for the community.”