BY IAN CROUCH

There are fears this year could be the last for the iconic Newcastle Show as a cash crisis threatens to send the show association to the wall.

The show is in it’s 115th year after being launched in May 1902.

However, bad weather in recent years, a fall in corporate sponsorship and the loss of the Show Day public holiday have all combined to leave the event desperately short of cash.

To make matters worse, surplus funds from previous shows which were used to help bankroll upcoming shows are now diverted to Venues NSW.

The show association has made an urgent request for emergency funding from the state government, however Venues NSW, which manages the show grounds and the entertainment centre, has reportedly advised it won’t be providing any income support.