It currently contributes $63 billion (2.3 per cent) of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to the country’s bottom line and according to National Farmer’s Federation has the potential to rival the mining sector and tip over $100 billion by 2030.

It was with this big and bright future in mind that RIRDC set out to host seven Regional Innovation Conversation events, meeting with agriculture’s young leaders from every state and territory.

Having met 150 of these young leaders in recent months, it’s safe to say they’re up to the challenge. In fact, I’ve been blown away by the enormous talent and enthusiasm of Australia’s next generation of agricultural leaders.

RIRDC’s reason for meeting with them was to discuss the issues and challenges they’re facing and discover what support they need to succeed; however, almost to a fault, we found these young people are just getting on with the job.

Whether they are part of a farming enterprise, researchers, entrepreneurs, business owners, working in the supply chain or providing services to agriculture these young people share a ‘can-do’ attitude and a steely determination to succeed.

We also discovered that they are learning and networking differently. They aren’t joining traditional farmer organisations or reading traditional publications and media. They’re getting their information, networking with each other and sharing knowledge via social media.

John Harvey, RIRDC.

The region can share in part of $100 million being invested into regional villages, towns and cities through a new Regional Cultural Fund announced in the 2017 NSW Budget.

The Regional Cultural Fund is exciting news for a range of potential new projects that could benefit in the region.

So if there is a gallery in Wentworth that needs to be built or a small museum in Balranald that needs a lick of paint or a theatre group in Leeton or Moama with a new project, I encourage them all to apply.

Through the fund, support is offered to a diverse mix of arts and culture spanning visual media and performing arts, heritage, publishing and film.

Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said that the fund will drive the creation of regional cultural infrastructure across a range of new and existing spaces, buildings and structures that support or accommodate the arts, cultural expression and heritage.

There are small, medium and large funding pools for projects from a couple of hundred dollars to $5 million. Specific funds are reserved for new programming projects.

Expressions of Interest and applications for the Regional Cultural Fund will open from July 17, 2017. Successful projects will be invited to provide additional information. 

For further information and guidelines for applicants visit www.create.nsw.gov.au.

Adrian Piccoli, Member for Murray.

In the recent State budget, the NSW Liberal-National Government promised $100 million to create a regional arts fund, but on July 17, arts bureaucrats revealed that the fund is not what it is cracked up to be.

 The fine print of the Regional Cultural Fund shows a mere $25 million will be now rationed across all of NSW’s rural and regional communities in 2017-18.

 This is pitiful when the fund is compared to what is being spent in Sydney’s CBD. A massive $600 million is being poured into a three kilometre radius of the city.

Sadly, like all other areas of government expenditure, the funding is all going to Sydney – with country areas left to fight each other over the scraps.

Hon Walt Secord, Shadow Arts Minister.