NRL trial injects $4.7m into Bega Valley economy

The preseason trial match between Penrith and Parramatta was originally scheduled to be played in Sydney, until a January phone call between NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and NRL CEO Todd Greenberg saw it moved to Bega in the face of the recent bushfire emergency.

The league claimed on Sunday the game brought almost $5million into the local community, with Bega MP Andrew Constance saying it would help the recovery effort and "lift the spirits of our kids".

He attended Saturday's game alongside the premier, Mr Greenberg and Fire Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons, who said rain, forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology to fall across the state over the next eight days, will be "great for farmers, rural and regional communities, as well as firefighters still working on fires".

Bega Valley Mayor Kristy McBain confirmed the league's estimates on Monday, saying $4.7million was likely to have been spent around the district by visitors to the event.

Saturday's game between the two sides was a draw, a fitting end to a clash designed to bring the community together.

Following the game, almost 6000 people packed Bega's George Griffin Oval on Saturday night for the free community concert.

Local performers Sam Stevenson and Matt Glass joined forces with Jindabyne country music sensation Brad Cox and six-time ARIA Award winner Amy Shark to raise spirits and aid in recovery efforts.

Shark said she had never been to Bega before, but said she felt honoured to be invited to perform as part of the recovery.

It was her own smash hits that drew thunderous cheers from the crowd, even changing the lyrics of her song I said Hi to "Yeah I bet the whole world thought we would give up", to mark the impact of the tragedy.