With $341,600 in funding for a significant upgrade, Omeo rodeo grounds will become a significant community hub, able to host a range of events.

The allocation has come from bushfire recovery funds and will allow a significant upgrade that includes new toilets and showers, a modern entry, lighting and general improvements.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, who strongly supported the application with Bushfire Recovery Victoria, paid tribute to the local hard-working committee who lobbied hard and put together the funding application.

“This committee has been functioning in the town for 65 years and over this period of time the rodeo has grown into a renowned event that has contributed so much to the local community economically, both through those visiting the town and the distribution of proceeds.

“When this work is done, it will be a reward for the hard-working committee and provide a facility that can host a range of events.

“The location of the rodeo grounds is a terrific amphitheatre where the crowds can sit on the hill seating and look down on to the yards. It really is a great outdoor entertainment venue.”

Mr Bull said the upgrades would also provide lighting over the sale yards which, apart from being utilised in cattle sales, was a location where many brought their horses and valuable livestock in fire periods.

Caption: In celebration of the funding announcement, Nationals MP’s Tim Bull and Darren Chester joined members from the Omeo Rodeo Committee and its Life Members together with the Elders Livestock team, to discuss the proposed upgrades that will benefit the Omeo and district community.

L-R: Nationals Federal MP Darren Chester, David Hill, Life Member Jim Flannagan, Colin Lane, Life Member Ron Connley, Bernard Flannagan, Nationals State MP Tim Bull, Morgan Davies and Erica Coulthard.

 Monday, January 11, 2021