Community News

Christmas comes early for Northern NSW Show Societies

Show Societies across Northern NSW will receive over $200,000 dollars’ worth of toys and kitchenware just in time for Christmas, thanks to the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) Foundation’s collaboration with Good360.

Kitchenware generously donated by Sydney Showground and Canterbury Leagues Club will provide much needed goods, including plates, glassware and cutlery, while toys funded by the Sydney Royal Easter Show, ‘Thank a Farmer Day’, will be shared amongst 20 deserving Show societies.

Since the RAS Foundation and Good360 began collaborating in 2018, more than 80 pallets of goods valued at over 1.2 million dollars, have helped upgrade local facilities, while lifestyle goods and toys are shared with the community.

RAS Foundation Manager, Cecilia Logan, said the partnership with Good 360 has already benefited many local Show Societies across NSW and it’s very exciting to be able to distribute further goods to those that need it most.

“Many communities in Northern and Central West NSW are struggling amid incredibly tough conditions. In the lead-up to Christmas, we hope these extra goods uplift the spirits of the community, and help support local events and activities,” Ms Logan said.

“The local showgrounds and community halls will be able to utilise the kitchen goods to provide larger community events or fundraisers to bring families together. Local Societies plan to share the toys with schools or pre-schools, to host a community gathering, or give them to families to sit under the Christmas tree. 

“Good360 is in the business of connecting surplus with need and their support is helping us to build strong and vibrant regional and rural communities.”

Grafton Show Secretary, Carole Bryant said the kitchenware will be of great use in the “Barn”, while make-up bags, toys and DVDs will be handed out to local charities for distribution.

Volunteers from each Show Society will collect the goods and take them back to their communities, and start planning for events to celebrate their early Christmas windfall.

The RAS Foundation (rasf.org.auv) is a registered charity that encourages educational opportunities and helps build strong, sustainable and resilient rural and regional communities through targeted grants and scholarships.