Eastern Highlands Agricultural Society farewells Goroka Show

By MALUM NALU

  

The legal entity which ran the famous Goroka Show for the last four years will now longer be involved in its management.

This follows the appointment of business woman, Kearyn Hargreaves, as the new head of the Goroka Show Society by Eastern Highlands Governor Julie Soso last Friday.

Secretary of Eastern Highlands Agricultural Society, Thomas Solepa Arganisafa and president, Wilson Thompson Orlegge, yesterday (Tuesday) paid tribute to the outgoing chairman of the Goroka Show, Gideon Samuel, for his tireless efforts in making sure it was staged annually from 2009 to 2012 despite the lack of financial support from Eastern Highlands provincial government.

A colourful singsing group during the 2010 Goroka Show at the National Sports Institute.-Picture courtesy of GOROKA SHOW COMMITTEE

They also commended the Goroka Chamber of Commerce and Industry for keeping the show alive when it took management from 2004 to 2008.

They said it was the efforts of the chamber that brought back the confidence of the private sector.

 “The chamber is accredited for developing and funding the Goroka Show website www.gorokashow.com , which is a popular website that provides updated information,” Thompson said.

The society also paid tribute to traditional sponsors such as SP Brewery, Coca -Amatil (PNG) and many others who had contributed significantly over the years to sustain the staging of the oldest show in the Country.

“These include Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, National Gaming Control Board, Bank South Pacific, Ramu Agri Industries, Lae Biscuit Company, Nowek, New Guinea Fruit Company, and Coffee Industry Corporation,” Thompson said.

The society also paid tribute to patron and Minister for Lands and Physical Planning, Benny Allen, for his support over the years when provincial government failed to come on board.

They called on Governor Julie Soso to increase the funding to K300, 000, from the K220, 000 she pledged last Friday, because the cost of hosting the three-day event has escalated to over K500, 000.

“As per circular 1/2005 by Minister for Arts, Culture and Tourism, we have called for nominations from stakeholder organisations for membership of the Goroka Show organising committee,” Thompson said.

“As soon as that is finalised we will hand over assets and liabilities for the Eastern Highlands provincial government to take it on from there.

“However, the name Goroka Show, logo, bank accounts, showground and facilities remain the property of Highlands Farmers and Settlers Association (HFSA) and Eastern Highlands Agricultural Society.”