Page 3 - The Outdoor Showman January - March 2022

VSG President’s Page VSG
President’s Report
THE OUTDOOR SHOWMAN 1
PO Box 36
Ascot Vale Victoria Australia 3032
Telephone: (03) 9376 8544
Fax: (03) 9376 0505
Email: vicshowmen@gmail.com victorianshowmensguild.com.au
Office:
Shop 1. 157 Mt Alexander Road Flemington VIC 3031
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 9.00am - 4.00pm
Office Bearers 2022 PRESIDENT
Elwin Leroy Bell JNR
VICE PRESIDENTS
John Roberts Adam Reardon Emile Verfurth III Stewart Watkins Bob Brown JNR Les Chant JNR Broderick Pavier Jamie Pickett Travis Taylor Brady Phillips Annette Calder
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Charlie Miller (Bris) James Quay
Paul Davis
Andrew Quay Michael Miller
Kyle Quay
Josh Allan-Reardon Hugh Trevor
SECRETARY
Eileen McClure
TREASURER
Terrence Moon
TRUSTEE
Marjorie Chant
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Justine Sinclair
Welcome to the New Year,
As I’m writing this report it’s hard to believe that March is upon us, and we’ll be heading to Victoria for the Moomba Festival over the Labour Day long weekend in Melbourne.
The summer carnivals started with a bang! Lots of community support and holiday-makers made their way back to coastal towns for the Christmas and summer period.
From most reports this didn’t last too long, as crowd slowly declined after New Year Eve, we struggled to get that same buzz and crowd numbers. Australia Day celebrations weren’t too bad
for trading, and we managed to have a solid few days trading before packing up and heading to Crookewell and from there, the Royal Canberra Show.
The election results for the Committee of Management were received last week. Congratulations to those members elected and welcome to a few new members. We look forward to working with you.
On the 18th January 2022 Minister Littleproud formally announced ‘Keeping showmen and women on the road.’
Essentially, $8.3 million will be available under the Coalition Government’s Supporting Agricultural Showmen and Women program to provide travelling showmen and women assistance with showmen’s guild membership fees and rental relief.
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said the Government will be working with the Victorian Showmen’s Guild to administer up to $7.8 million
of payments to contribute to the rental costs for travelling showmen and women associated with their participation at agricultural shows in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 financial years.
Up to $500,000 is also available to contribute to the operational costs of travelling show businesses by supporting a moratorium and/or refund on showmen’s guild membership fees for the 2021 and 2022 calendar years.
We welcome this support and thank the Hon. David Littleproud MP for recognizing travelling Showmen and women and our unique industry. We also thank the
Hon. Bill Shorten MP for his ongoing efforts and support.
Thanks to this program, travelling showmen and women will be supported to continue doing what they love; to provide the entertainment and amusements at Australian Agricultural Shows. Further information can be found on page 19. The Victorian Showmen’s Guild will share updates with Guilds/Association and travelling
Showmen and women in the coming weeks.
Let’s continue to support each other, work together and maintain a strong organisation!
Safe travels.
Elwin Bell Jnr. President