Industry leaders say funding announced earlier this week for agricultural and pastoral shows is not enough to get events back on track.
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Victorian Agricultural Shows chief executive Rod Bowles said this was the same funding being offered each year for almost two decades.
He said while it was appreciated, events were still finding it difficult to look ahead to next year.
"The announcement starts off with a remark about helping shows get through COVID-19 recovery, but the $300,000 is the same grants we've been offered for the last 20 years," he said.
"The money is for upgrades to grounds, facilities and equipment so we can run the shows.
"While we appreciate that, the money isn't helping any of the shows to stay afloat and be able to put on their event next year.
"It is a nice announcement, but it's not addressing the issues at hand."
Even with this assistance, events such as the Australian Sheep and Wool Show are still left struggling.
After making the snap decision to cancel a day out from the event, the Australian Sheep and Wool Show was left with debts of close to $480,000.
ASWS chief executive Margot Falconer said although her organisation had almost paid off this money, the event still hadn't received assistance.
"We were told something was coming in a way of government support, but we still haven't seen anything this year," Ms Falconer said.
"We applied for a similar grant last year and the most you could apply for was $10,000. We wanted money to put towards COVID-19 signage, sanitising stations and all the rest of it.
"We did get $4,000 for that, but nothing since.
"We've almost paid off our invoices, but it's still been difficult."
The ASWS was set to kick off at Bendigo's Prince of Wales Showgrounds on July 16, but organisers confirmed on the Thursday before that it would not be going ahead.
Mr Bowles said the federal government did "step up" to help last year.
"They did offer grants of $10,000 for small,$15,000 for medium and $70,000 for the large shows which was primarily to cover the operational costs of those events and allow them to be functional again this year," he said.
"But now we've got COVID shutting down the shows again, that's two years in a row they've lost their opportunity to put on that community event and in turn fundraise or make a bit of money to keep the society going."
Ms Falconer said she may be able to come up with an application for this round of funding announced by Minister for Regional Development and Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas on Wednesday.
"We could try get funding based on our careers and technology hub, which is about jobs in agriculture, but the most I can get is $10,000," she said.
"This wouldn't go any way toward compensating us for being shut down."
Ms Thomas officially opened the Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants Program this week, with a share of $300,000 available to support recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
"From the very young to the very old, Victorians love their local show and the pandemic has again played havoc with these local institutions - that's why we're providing this vital support," she said.
"Agricultural shows are a significant part of not only regional Victoria but the entire state, providing opportunities for up to 50,000 volunteers and attracting around two million patrons annually.
"We are supporting our Agricultural and Pastoral societies with more funding and look forward to them welcoming visitors through the gates again when it's safe to do so."
Grants can be used for a range of purposes, including to implement COVID-safe measures and support the use of technology to encourage remote participation in show activities.
It will also allow societies to develop infrastructure, increase community involvement and improve show planning activities.
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