Newsletter December 2016 The Trust has had a busy year continuing maintenance and upgrading facilities at the Cowra Showground during 2016 and planning to build a major function centre and Grandstand on the site of the old one. We felt great sadness with the death of Trust Member Cecil Peterson in September. Cec was a passionate advocate for the Pony Club, the Campdraft Association and the Showground. “The Trust will miss Cec and all the things he did. He was dogmatic, self opinionated, a bully in many ways but he got stuff done and was an asset, not a liability. He could drive you mad with his persistence and have you doing stuff you really didn't want to do (Like being on the Trust) but in the end, it's people like Cec that bulldozer their way to get things changed and done because they don't pussy foot around and put things into the too hard basket, “ Chris Cummins Nominations for two Trust Members have been advertised and closed on November 11. The appointments will be made by the Minister for Lands Niall Blair. The Trust welcomes the new Cowra Shire Council appointee Cr Michael Nobes who has taken over from Deputy Mayor Judi Smith. Stable Complex The Trust has received a grant for $46,158,000 from the NSW Government Crown Lands Reserve Trust Management Fund for the stable complex at the Showground. Member for Cootamundra presented the cheque to Trust Members Chris Cummins and Ruth Fagan. The Stables were built in 1928 and are in reasonable order and rented out. The grant will provide for the stabilization of the brickwork, the roof and woodwork will be fixed and painted.
Turnstile Entrance The Trust has replaced the asbestos roof on the turnstile entrance gates and fixed the brickwork on the northern end. The concrete surrounds have been replaced and now electrical wiring including lights will be installed before the woodwork is refitted and the building is plastered and repainted. This work has been helped with a grant of $3,578 from the Cowra Shire Council Heritage Fund. The fence and gates surrounding the Turnstile building will be also be fixed to provide a secure area around the racing venue.
Trees The new trees along the fencelines are growing well with the help of OZ Plants. The kurrajong trees at the back of the betting ring have been trimmed to allow the roof gutter to be replaced.
2
Cowra Jockey Club Congratulations to the Cowra Jockey Club on the completion of the refurbishment of the Jockeys Amenities in the Grandstand to cater for female jockeys and provide air conditioning. The cost of the upgrade was helped by a grant from Racing NSW. The fence and gates on the racetrack at the ground have also been repaired, replaced and repainted.
.
3
Campdraft Area Cowra Campdraft Association has built a shelter in the centre ring for the use of patrons. This will allow shelter from the heat and also a new area suitable for barbecues and entertaining for showground users. It is close to the amenities block and the electricity and water powerheads in centre ring.
Caretakers Cottage Asbestos has been removed from the Caretakers Cottage and this will eventually be leased for a nominal fee to the South West Slopes branch of the NSW National Servicemen’s Association. The Conimbla CWA has also expressed an interest in using the Cottage for meetings. An application has been made for a grant to repair the cottage and the Cowra NSSA branch will help with maintenance and repair jobs until it is fit for habitation.
Sheep Shed The roof of the Sheep Shed has been repaired with tech screws replacing the nails and the ends will be filled in next year making it a more usable space.
4
Poultry Shed, The poultry shed has had a complete electrical upgrade. John Waters has renewed the fuse box, lights and existing wiring. There is an expectation that the shed will Security The rooms under the Jockey Club grandstand have been broken into a number of times over the past 12 months and the Trust is working with the Cowra Police to find solutions and install preventative measures. Anyone with information about these matters should contact Trust President Ian Donges.
Caretaker John Hutt is the part-time Caretaker at the Showground as well as operating his cattle training business from the yards at the front. He can be contacted for all enquiries about buildings and maintenance of the grounds on Mobile 0428 405 245.
host a number of poultry events next year. Camping Area The Camping Area on Showground Lane is beginning to look very established and attracting record crowds of campers, large vans and pet owners. The recent wet weather has made the entrance boggy and this will be cemented soon. Plans are also underway for a shade structure and camp oven area at the Ground.
Events Next July long weekend an active local committee is organising a Bushtucker Weekend. This weekend is modeled on similar events at Trundle. It will involve people camping at the ground over the weekend with entertainment and competing in a camp cooking competition. The Circus is booked at the showground for the end of February. REMINDER
All user Bodies are reminded they need to contact the Trust before carrying out any work on the Showground so they can be approved and included in the plan for future projects All facilities at the showground are available for hire. On Behalf of the Cowra Showground Racecourse and Paceway Trust we wish you a very Merry Christmas and look forward to a great New Year.
President Ian Donges, Vice President Peter Ryan, Treasurer Ruth Fagan, Chris Cummins, Peter Wilson and Council Representative Cr Michael Nobes Secretary Lyn Grace 5