Page 15 - The Outdoor Showman July-September 2021

Showmen’s Guild of Australasia
SGA
President’s Report
4 Turner Avenue, Yatala, QLD 4207 Ph: (07) 3807 0011
Fax: (07) 3807 0730
E: admin@showmensguild.com.au www.showmensguild.com.au
Office Bearers 2021 PATRON
Angus Lane
PRESIDENT
Aaron Pink
ACTING SECRETARY
Shelley Pink-Easey
TREASURER
Leann Allan
TRUSTEES
Lewis Osborne John Castle
VICE PRESIDENTS
Gary Johnson
Stewart Watkins
Luke Chambers Shane Blades
Elwin Bell Jnr
Glen McGregor
Emile M Verfurth III Christopher Henessey Peter Short
John Roberts
COMMITTEE
David Allan
Ted Baker
Bradley Chambers Justin Gill
Jackie Gill
Eli McDonald Tyrone Miller Terry Nilon George Pink Michael Wood
Hi all,
Well, there really is no business like show business.
What a challenging past 18 months, one thing to another!
It started with losing the start of the 2020 south coast run of shows with bushfires, and then March COVID-19, and then to top it off an insurance crisis..... Just when you think there is light at the end of the tunnel COVID-19 has another round.
As I’m writing this report setting up at Brisbane Ekka, we get an email that the Royal Melbourne Show has been cancelled for the second year, due to COVID-19.
Only a couple of days later, just days before the start of the Ekka the RNA announce the Ekka has had to cancel for a second year.
This is disappointing for a lot of Showmen.
We are also seeing a lot of regional shows in all states either postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19; this makes it very difficult to plan a run of shows and very challenging for everyone.
So, that leaves me to say that things can only get better....!
I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to the Victorian Showmen’s Guild on the hard work and endless meetings with the federal government to achieve a 4.3 million dollar grant as a rent relief for every guild, and its members in this country.
This rent relief will support Showmen to attend regional shows. The VSG members have also received rego discounts. These are very big achievements for our industry in these difficult times.
A special mention to Justine Sinclair, Marjorie Chant, Elwin Bell and all involved.
Take care and safe travels,
Aaron Pink President
THE OUTDOOR SHOWMAN 13