It could be on for young and old when debate is gay marriage

The move,which came after “spirited debate” at the party’s annual conference in Corowa on Saturday, breaks new ground for conservative parties in Australia.

But Young Nationals state director Nathan Quigley said that for those that know the Young Nationals, the move is hardly bold and will not surprise.

"The Young Nationals have always had a reputation for pushing the boundaries in terms of policy with the senior party," Mr Quigley said. "It will attract attention, but to those who know the Young Nationals it won't be a surprise."

While saying that, one can assume the vote could have gone either way after Mr Quigley admitted it was only narrowly won – he would not reveal the margin.

Clearly, there will be many surprised at the move and wondering how the Young Nats could make a decision so at odds with many National Party MPs, who have put their support for the traditional definition of marriage on the record.

The Young Nats may be the offspring of traditional National Party conservatives but on no other issue would the generation gap be more evident.

NSW deputy premier Troy Grant was on the Border for the Young Nationals conference, and with him he brought a $1.2 million boost for Albury’s racecourse.

The funding for a new irrigation system was announced by Mr Grant on Saturday during a visit to the racecourse.

It will mean meetings at the track will be less vulnerable to rainfall, and sprinklers will no longer have to be moved around the track like you would in your backyard.

The club has been chasing the funding since 2011, and chief executive John Miller said it was the first time in 130 years that any serious money have been invested.

The club pays a high price currently for meetings cancelled because of rain, with a loss of around $10,000 when a meeting has to be called off.

The Albury Gold Cup only gets bigger every year, and the funding is just rewards for all the hard work that goes on by many behind the scenes.