Work is complete on a brand-new permanent showground arena and cattle yards at Euabalong, supported with funding from the NSW Government in association with Cobar Shire Council.
Crown Lands provided $148,631 in Crown Reserve Improvement Fund grants for the materials to construct the new arena, which will allow locals to safely hold horse and cattle sports competitions, such as team penning, barrel races, steer and bull rides, horsemanship clinics, and major gymkhana events.
Previously, volunteers would spend up to a week dismantling the old arena, which was made of portable materials.
This was time-consuming and onerous for volunteers, reducing the incentive and capacity for the community to hold a large number of horse and cattle events.
The new arena will allow Euabalong to hold more events each year, which will help cultivate a vibrant community spirit.
Local horse associations will also benefit by using the facility for training, ensuring the next generation of stock handlers can hone their skills in a safe environment close to home.
The permanent arena includes safety improvements, such as fixed fencing that will reduce the risk associated with working with livestock.
It will also significantly increase the number of spectators able to attend events from 400 to more than 600.
Euabalong and Eubalong West Progress Association President David Gleeson said cattle handling and horsemanship are a part of daily life in the area.
“Having a permanent showground will do our community a world of good. We’ve done it tough recently with droughts and floods. This new arena will not only boost community spirit, but allow important skills to be handed down from one generation to the next,” Mr Gleeson said.
“Remote communities like ours rely on events to help us come together. We can’t wait to hold many more events in 2024 and beyond.”
