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Maffra Agricultural Society awarded $9,559 for infrastructure upgrades to improve showgrounds and community engagement

The Maffra and District Agricultural Society receives $9,559 to upgrade infrastructure, including stormwater, skylights, and bird proofing, as part of the Allan Labor government's $300,000 Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants Program.

By news@gippsland - 18th December 2024 - Back to News

Agricultural and Pastoral Societies are upgrading their facilities and increasing community engagement to run the state's iconic regional show program thanks to the Allan Labor government's backing of regional Victoria. Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh today announced that the Maffra and District Agricultural Society is among the agricultural and pastoral societies given funds to support improvements to showground amenities and essential infrastructure upgrades.

Agricultural and Pastoral Societies, including Maffra, receive grants to improve facilities and community engagement, with $9,559 for upgrades

Agricultural show grants

The society is receiving $9,559 for works to replace its guttering and the down pipes to the storm water, fix broken skylights, and bird proof the Poultry Pavilion. The society is one of 34 Agricultural and Pastoral Societies to be given grants from the Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants Program totalling $300,000.

Earlier this year, eligible societies applied for grants of up to $10,000 towards infrastructure development and other business activities to celebrate Victoria's agricultural communities, industry and produce. To learn more about the Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants Program, visit Agriculture Victoria website. To view the full 2024/25 Victorian Show Calendar visit Victorian Agricultural Shows website.

Regional agricultural events

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence said, "The Agricultural and Pastoral Society grant program is all about empowering the organisations that know their regions best to showcase the very best of their region."

Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh said, "Local ag shows are huge for our regions. This support will help the Maffra Ag Society continue to hold a show which is a local drawcard for many years to come."

Poultry pavilion upgrades

Maffra and District Agricultural Society Secretary Michael Coggan said, "The Ag Society plans to use the funding to update & upgrade the poultry pavilion with new stormwater and guttering, replacement skylights and works to try to bird proof the facility."

"The poultry section of our show has a huge following and these works will improve patrons' experience while completing some long overdue maintenance. With the constant threat of a virulent bird flu virus on our doorstep we thought it was appropriate to try to keep the sparrows, starlings and Indian Mynas out of the Facility. The Ag Society is very appreciative of this funding and welcomes the opportunity to improve our facilities," Mr McIntosh said.

Pictures from Tom McIntosh MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com