Concerned about the dropping levels in tourism and struggling gate entries at her local show, Cumnock local Rebecca Staines has done her bit to get her community on the move again.
A former Cumnock Showgirl and rural achiever, Ms Staines was announced as the winner of the $25,000 Question, an initiative of the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) of NSW Foundation at the Sydney Royal Easter Show on Saturday April 10.
The $25,000 Question encourages young people to get involved with their local community.
Ms Staines joined the Cumnock and District Progress Association and helped launch the Animals on Bikes project five months ago.
Animals on Bikes is a sculpture competition located in paddocks along the 120km road between Molong and Dubbo.
This unique attraction encourages travellers and holiday makers to turn off the major highways and onto the Obley Road tourist trail.
Funding from the RAS Foundation enables local schools and agricultural shows in Orange, Dubbo, Parkes, Molong, Wellington, Yeoval and Cumnock to create their own sculptures along the trail, plus the inclusion of a farm animal category.
“This unique and creative project will capture any traveller’s imagination, promote local tourist operators, showcase rural creativity and encapsulate the spirit of regional NSW,” Ms Staines said.
“We are aiming for 100 paddock art sculptures for the next competition in November 2011.”
The $25,000 Question is one of three flagship programs funded by the RAS Foundation.
Applicants were required to identify a need in their community and to partner with a local community organisation to help implement their idea.
Submissions were judged on several criteria including innovation, impact and implementation.
The RAS Foundation is a philanthropic foundation which seeks to encourage educational excellence and foster sustainable rural and regional communities by supporting quality
youth community programs.
“It is inspiring to see a young person taking an active role in a project like this,” RAS Foundation executive officer Antonia Ruffell said.
“As well as attracting tourists to the area, this project contributes to a renewed sense of optimism and helps build community spirit.”
For more information visit www.animalsonbikes
.com.au
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