Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)

The much-loved Bellingen Show has been held in the NSW Bellingen Shire every year since 1881. Its purpose is to entertain and educate the community, as well as celebrate the rural heritage of the Shire.

In 2022, the Bellinger River area​ was impacted by major floods, challenging the existing practices in rural agricultural shows. Unprecedented rainfall meant that the Bellingen Show hosted its first community event with no show rides. What initially appeared to be a huge problem became an opportunity to re-imagine the show and the entertainment it offers.

The Bellinger River Agricultural Society came up with the idea of an Artisan’s Tent for the 2023 event, a space where regional artists could display, sell and demonstrate techniques of their creative skills. A $10,000 Strengthening Rural Communities grant was used to hire the marquee, which hosted a variety of engaging and creative workshops for all ages and abilities.

Recognising that art therapy can support flood recovery, the Artisan’s Tent encouraged show-goers to come together and have fun with diverse arts and crafts, ranging from crochet and tapestry work, to creating a community mosaic mural of local snapping turtles that was later installed in town. Four large working Japanese textile looms onsite also enabled show visitors to weave their own unique piece of fabric. Overall, the Show committee engaged 15 artists from the area, including CALD and senior artists.

Colourful art project sits on a table.
Group of people stand and sit on a stage.
Image of an artisan tent with lots of people.

The Agricultural Society had hoped to offer an indigenous-led art workshop in the tent but the two artists that they reached out to were unavailable. Still wanting to arrange an offering from the Indigenous community, a smoking ceremony and welcome to country were organised and a local Indigenous music group performed on the Sunday, singing in the Gumbanyggirr language.

Susanne Lumsdaine, President of the Bellinger River Agricultural Society, said “The marquee space delivered a vibrant two days of free, hands-on activities for more than 4000 patrons attending the community event.”

The new Artisan’s Tent was a key contributor to the Bellinger River Agricultural Society winning the 2023 Ag Show’s NSW Innovation Award for their focus on sustainability and creativity – a fantastic achievement, as theirs was one of 192 regional agricultural shows involved.