Sheep show a big boon for Bendigo

Australian Sheep Breeders’ Association president Malcolm Starritt said the show was shaping up to be the biggest in the event’s 139-year history, with more than 3000 sheep entered, 450 sites and 22 sub-events.

Mr Starritt placed the the economic value to the area at $12 million conservatively and said the association had funnelled at least $1 million of its own funds into the Prince of Wales Showgrounds’ infrastructure.

The show is expected to bring more than 30,000 people through the gates of the showgrounds over the three days starting Friday, July 15, about 70 per cent of whom Mr Starritt estimates will come from outside the Bendigo area, some from as far afield as South America, South Africa and Italy.

City of Greater Bendigo acting director city futures Terry Karamaloudis said that with so many people expected to attend and the majority from outside the city, he didn’t think “anyone would argue that the economic footprint is a good thing for the city”.

Mr Karamaloudis said recently released figures from Tourism Research Australia suggested the average overnight visitor to the city would spend $220 a day and a day tripper would spend about $100 less.

He said the Easter Festival was the only event on Bendigo’s calendar that drew a bigger crowd and accommodation was keenly sought after.

The event hopefully put Bendigo on radar of attendees as a possible holiday destination, he said, and possibly also highlighted the city as a potential location for other large events.

But Mr Karamaloudis said the benefits of such events extended beyond the economic impacts.

He said of equal, and perhaps even greater importance, were the social benefits, such as the volunteerism involved and giving people an event in which to be engaged.

“I think there’s something uplifting about being able to drive to Bendigo showgrounds… to see arguably the best event in its sector, there’s something nice about the fact you can do that in your own home town,” Mr Karamaloudis said.

The event moved to Bendigo from Melbourne in 1999 and has been held at the showgrounds since.

Mr Starritt said Bendigo was chosen as the new home for the event because it was central, was easy to access, and had “terrific opportunities” for a partnership with the Bendigo Agricultural Show Society.

It was this partnership, with assistance from the state government, that led to the construction of the Bendigo and Regional Exhibition Centres at the showgrounds, he said.