Dorrigo has won its own half-day local event day for show Friday, but there’s a catch: it is not a public holiday, and nobody has to shut up shop.
The half-day local event day will run from midday to 6pm on the Friday of the annual Dorrigo Show, and will apply to Dorrigo and surrounding areas.
The push began in November 2025, when a Notice of Motion from Bellingen Shire Councillor Graeme Shephard was passed at a Bellingen Shire Council meeting, asking for a half-day local event day for the Dorrigo area.
“Of course, getting a local event day approved is not just a matter of a council vote,” said Bellingen Shire Councillor Graeme Shephard.
“Staff formally consulted with the community, including an online survey and direct engagement with schools, businesses and community organisations.”
“The result of the engagement was presented to Council in June 2026, who authorised an application to be made to the State Government.”
Shephard said council hoped the day would boost the show and the wider district.
“In applying for a half-day local event day for the Dorrigo Show, Council hopes to support Show attendance, volunteering, youth participation, agricultural activity, community connection and local economic activity, all of which benefit the entire Dorrigo area,” he said.
Bellingen Shire Council General Manager Mark Griffioen said the half-day format was an important part of the application, as it matched the show day activities and gave the community a chance to take part without a full day being declared.
But he warned locals not to mistake it for a day off.
“It’s important for the community to understand that a local event day is not a declared public holiday for work purposes,” Griffioen said.
“Businesses are not required to close, pay employees to have the time off, or require staff to be paid at public holiday rates.”
“What it does do, is allow employers, employees and organisations wishing to support participation in the Dorrigo Show, to make appropriate arrangements – and some businesses and organisations are already allowing their staff to participate in Show activities on the Friday afternoon.”
“This declaration merely supports and facilitates the existing desire of the community to participate in the Dorrigo Show.”
For Shephard, it is about keeping a century-old tradition alive.
“The Dorrigo Show has been an important part of the Dorrigo community for more than 100 years, celebrating the plateau’s agricultural history, community and natural environment, and we would like to see our show go on for another century!” he said.
This year’s Dorrigo Show runs on Friday, 27 November and Saturday, 28 November, with the half-day local event day taking effect on the Friday afternoon.
For more information on the 2026 Dorrigo Show, visit www.dorrigoshow.com.
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