The far western NSW town of Bourke will soon be showing off their culinary skills thanks to $20,000 worth of kitchen appliances from Euromaid and a $5,000 cash grant from the RAS Foundation to build kitchen benches and cabinetry.

The Bourke Pastoral & Agricultural Association has been announced as the winner of the RAS Foundation Community Kitchen Grant program at the Theatre Kitchen in the Woolworths Fresh Food Dome at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

John Beer from the Bourke Pastoral & Agricultural Association said they were thrilled with the win, which would make such a difference to the whole community.
"Our current kitchen was really beyond use. These new facilities will have a widespread positive impact on the town and go a long way to supporting many organisations who come together at the showgrounds for their events and functions," said Mr Beer.
The Wellington Men's Shed was the runner up and will receive $15,000 worth of kitchen appliances also from Euromaid.

Glenn Porter, Treasurer from the Wellington Men's Shed said the grant was the icing on the cake after all the hard work and fundraising the Wellington community has done.

"The Men's Shed has had terrific support from the community. We've been fortunate enough to have new sheds donated by the Australian Army and fundraising by the community will enable us to shortly lay the slabs for the new sheds, replacing our existing demountable.

"It will be incredible to now also have a fully equipped kitchen, making the Men's Shed an invaluable meeting place and healthy environment for the men of the Wellington community to come together," Mr Porter said.
According to the judges, Bourke was a very worthy winner, with the town battling one of the worst droughts in history over the past four years, not to mention their showground has had the same kitchen since the early 1950's and was in desperate need of a makeover.

RAS Foundation Executive Officer, Kate Ross, said Bourke's win will give the community a big boost. "The Bourke Pastoral & Agricultural Association made an impressive grant application. Their win will see the showground kitchen facilities gain a new lease on life, with many community groups able to access and use the new kitchen, contributing enormously to improved social outcomes in the community.
"Wellington was also a very worthy runner up. The Men's Shed is a driving force in the Wellington community, with nearly every club, church, school and local organisation having had a project built or repaired by members of the men's shed.

"The kitchen will be used to teach widowed members to cook using produce from the group's extensive organic garden, in addition to catering for a variety of events including health seminars and monthly get-togethers with guest speakers," said Ms Ross. About the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) Foundation:
The RAS Foundation is a charitable foundation that encourages educational opportunities and helps build strong and sustainable rural and regional communities through a range of targeted grants and scholarships. The Community Kitchen Grant supports local organisations wishing to improve their kitchen in an existing community facility for the broader benefit of their local community.

Visit www.rasf.org.au for more information on the RAS Foundation.

For further information, including high resolution images, please contact:

James Riordan - Public Relations Manager
M: 0419 483 407 | P: (02) 9704 1222 | E: jriordan@rasnsw.com.au

Daisy Litchfield - media team
M: 0427 303 298 | P: (02) 9704 1084 | E: dlitchfield@rasnsw.com.au