Show in doubt after Council refuses funding for Gladstone Show Society

The future of the Gladstone Show is in doubt after the refusal by Gladstone Regional Council to provide operational funds.

The Council's rejection of a funding request from the Gladstone Show Society now places the Show's future in doubt beyond 2018.

The Show Society requested the funding through the third and final round of the Council's Major Events Advisory Panel (MEAP).

However, despite approval by MEAP, a Council motion last week rejected the funding.

Speaking at the meeting, Gladstone Deputy Mayor Chris Trevor said the Show Society had "failed, neglected or refused to carry out the requirements of this Council in relation to funding requests."

"In no disrespect to the MEAP's decision in relation to funding the Gladstone Show Society ... it is very clear to me that the Gladstone Show Society has failed, neglected or refused to carry out the requirements of this council in relation to funding requests.

"To me the business plan submitted with the application appears to be incomplete and unfinished.

"The problem I have is we are funding $8000 to the Gladstone Show Society out of Gladstone Regional ratepayers' money when by a letter dating 12th April, 2018 we all agreed as follows:

'It is clear to council that there is no longer broad community support for the continuation of the Show. Gladstone's annual carnival is now the Gladstone Harbour Festival and the possible future for pastoral and agricultural shows in the district is with an expanded Mt Larcom Show.

'Speedway activities will all now be staged at the Benaraby Motorsport Complex and not Gladstone Showgrounds. The management of the Gladstone Show Society has poor practices with concerns raised over both financial and safety concerns'.

"I just can't agree to support the Show Society's funding this year - you'd have to shoot me and carry me out in a pine box before that happened."

In 2013, tthe Gladstone Show Society was put on notice by the Queensland Office of Fair Trading (OFT), after failing to submit complete financial statements for the previous two years. 

The 2018 Gladstone Show is scheduled to be held on 7th and 8th August.

​Image courtesy of the Gladstone Show Society.

22nd December 2017 - ROYAL LAUNCESTON AGRICULTURAL SHOW TO END AFTER 144 YEARS

17th May 2016 - QCAS HELPS MALENY AGRICULTURAL SHOW MAKE THE MOST DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY 

24th October 2014 - PRINCESS ANNE PRAISES CULTURAL AND SOCIAL HERITAGE OF AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURAL SHOWS 

9th July 2014 - GRANTS KEEP QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL SHOWS ALIVE AND WELL

24th October 2013 - GLADSTONE SHOW SOCIETY’S FINANCES UNDER SCRUTINY

17th October 2012 - AGRICULTURAL SHOWS IN DECLINE, WHILE COUNTRY EVENTS THRIVE

15th August 2012 - WITHOUT VOLUNTEERS AGRICULTURAL SHOWS 'WILL CEASE TO EXIST'

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.