Tennant and Districts Show Society Committee cancels 2023 event

A celebration of agricultural delights in a remote part of the Territory has been called off. But there is an ‘alternative’ arrangement floated for the public holiday.

A celebration of bush life in one of the most remote patches of Australia could go ahead without classic agricultural show attractions.

The Tennant and Districts Show Society Committee has cancelled the region’s one-day agricultural show, 25 days before it was scheduled to begin on July 14.

It is understood the show’s committee was forced to cancel the show due to ageing infrastructure, volunteer burnout and the rising cost of inflation.

Following their announcement, Chief Minister Natasha Fyles has called for an “alternative show experience” to be held on the public holiday on July 14.

“As a sponsor the Northern Territory Government is working with representatives of the Show Society to explore potential opportunities to deliver an alternative show experience for residents and visitors of Tennant Creek,” a spokesman said.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles has called for an “alternative show experience” to be held on the public holiday on July 14.

“This variation of the event will centre around sideshow alley entertainment and rides.”

It is understood this scaled-back show could run without the classic ag-show society attractions including cattle displays, baking, produce and arts and crafts competition.

The Chief Minister’s office said the government had provided $10,000 in grants to this year’s Tennant Creek Royal Show.

The Tennant Creek Show opened in 1980, and for four decades the agricultural delights, attractions and rides have drawn in hundreds of spectators.

Last year was the first time the Tennant Creek show was able to be held in two years, after pandemic culled the 2020 and 2021 events.

Barkly MLA Steve Edgington said it was “devastating” for his constituents, in particular the show volunteers, and accused the government of “sitting on their hands”.

“The upgrade of the Showgrounds has been an issue for a number of years,” Mr Edgington said.

“There’s clearly been an under investment by the Northern Territory government when it comes to infrastructure in Tennant Creek.”

Mr Edgington said the ageing infrastructure included leaking, old water pipes that were “constantly falling apart”.

Mr Edgington said the grounds also faced a “very large” outstanding water bill, which the NT government had indicated they would work with the show society to resolve.

Children and calves at the Tennant Creek Show, which has been cancelled for 2023.

“My understanding is the cost of the current water bill to service the show, the rodeo grounds, The Turf Club, and the other facility is clearly over $100,000,” he said.

“(And) we know that some of the electrical infrastructure clearly needs to be upgraded as well,” he said.

“The fact that the show isn’t going ahead is very sad for everybody.

“We want a vibrant community we want people to come together to be engaged.”

Araluen representative Robyn Lambley said announcement was a “major blow to the town”.

Ms Lambley was particularly critical that the fair’s ageing facilities had led to the major event being axed.

“There doesn’t appear to be much in the way of ‘ageing infrastructure’ in Darwin,” she said on Facebook.

“You can see where the public money is going, certainly not to the Barkly or Central Australia.”

The cancellation of the Tennant Creek Show comes as a $1.9m rural shows funding package was due to run out.

The announcement comes as a $1.9m rural shows funding package was due to run out.

In 2018 the NT government announced the five-year cash splash for seven rural shows, as well as a $100,000 funding pool for minor repairs and maintenance requests for show facilities.

At the time, the government said $380,000 would be spread between seven shows each year, including $40,000 for Tennant Creek.

The Alice Springs Show continues to advertise ticket sales for the two-day event on July 7-8, and has recently called for more volunteers.

Katherine Show and Rodeo also continues to advertise for its event from July 21 to 22.

The Tennant and Districts Show Society Committee, and the Showmens’ Guild of Australasia have been contacted for further comment.