He founded an event many mark in their calendars once a year, and despite having to cancel this year's Drover's Campfire, Geoff Eather says upgrades to the Boggabri showgrounds will be "perfect".
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These grounds, as well as their Narrabri counterpart, are set to receive a face-lift thanks to funding announced by the NSW Government.
"The upgrades they are working on will make a big difference," Mr Eather said.
"They [facilities] were getting rather old, and well and truly due for an upgrade, so it's great news.
"Hopefully we will have a lot better facilities once we return next year, bigger and better."
Boggabri Showground's seating will be redone with brand new aluminium seating, the control tower will be repaired, four sets of access steps will be replaced for the toilet block, with an underground power supply installed to an onsite water pump.
The upgrades they are working on will make a big difference.
- Geoff Eather
Narrabri Showground works will see the old caretaker's house replaced, the harness racing stewards building's external cladding replaced, the old tiered seating will be redone with new aluminium seats, and floodlights for the pony club will be checked and secured.
Water, Property and Housing Minister Melinda Pavey said upgrades will ensure regional showgrounds in towns like Narrabri and Boggabri are kept safe and functional for future generations.
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"In addition to the $9.2 million in showground upgrades currently underway, the NSW Government recently announced a further $25 million for showground improvements in Sydney and regional NSW to help stimulate local economies and support jobs," Mrs Pavey said.
She said these investments will provide a much-needed boost for communities and their economies by supporting tradespeople with work.