A successful $100,000 funding grant has signalled a new era for the Jingellic Show.
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The border town’s show society was reluctantly forced to cancel last year’s event, for the first time in 89 years, due to health and safety concerns centred on a dilapidated pavilion.
The subsequent amalgamation of the Tumut and Tumbarumba municipalities added to uncertainty before the newly-merged Snowy Valleys Council announced the grant.
Works will begin on site preparation for the first stage of the new facility at the showgrounds later this year.
It replaces the old pavilion and adds an amenities block, providing toilets and showers.
Treasurer Jen Vinge said the event would take place on March 25-26, a week before Corryong’s The Man from Snowy River Festival.
”There was a lot of the community concern, if we didn’t run the show it wouldn’t run again,” she said.
“Hopefully (the grant) has put people’s minds at ease that we’ll be running shows in the future.
Mrs Vinge said the community could do its bit by attending working bees in the months to come.
“The buildings were quite decrepit and, if it’s to go on for the next 90 years, we needed these new structures, which can also double up as a community facility for 21sts and weddings,” she said.
“They will be multi-purpose hopefully, more than just a pavilion, we’re sourcing a project manager and getting down to the fine details.”
Cr Ian Chaffey said more funding was potentially available through the council.
“The show’s an important part of the community’s cultural heritage – and it’s been well supported in the past,” he said. “It was probably a big decision, and probably a wise one, to cancel it last year but it’s great they’ll be able to get the show back up and running again.”
The society hosts its AGM on July 13 from 7pm at the Walwa Hotel – all positions are available.
For more information, contact Mrs Vinge on 0411 030 939.