Following positive community feedback, council will ask the Victorian Small Business Minister to declare a substitute public holiday for the show on Wednesday, October 22.
The substitute holiday would replace Melbourne Cup Day (November 4) specifically for the Numurkah district, continuing a tradition that supports the annual agricultural show.
In June, council consulted with the Numurkah community to understand preferences for the proposed substituted holiday in 2025, following an ongoing arrangement which had been in place for the past 14 years.
Moira Shire Council chair administrator Graeme Emonson said the decision recognised the significance of the show for local families, schools and community groups.
“The community response was overwhelmingly positive, with 80 per cent of the survey respondents using the public holiday to attend the show,” Dr Emonson said.
“The Numurkah Agricultural Show is a cornerstone community event that brings people together and celebrates our agricultural heritage.”
The survey revealed that 54 respondents prefer the Numurkah Show public holiday over the Melbourne Cup holiday, with many local businesses either closing for the day or remaining open to support the event.
Council has also authorised the CEO to make similar requests for the next three years, streamlining the process for the Numurkah Agricultural Society.
“This decision reflects our commitment to supporting local traditions and community events that strengthen social connections,” Dr Emonson said.
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