Victoria Covid: Regional Agricultural Shows cancelled under lockdown
Regional Victoria’s already decimated economy will cop another blow after almost 50 agricultural shows were cancelled across the state. See the list.
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Up to 50 agricultural shows have been cancelled across regional Victoria as its already devastated economy braces for yet another blow.
Victorian Agricultural Shows executive officer Rob Bowles said the situation was rapidly changing but 45 shows had already pulled the pin.
Shows in Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Mildura, Wangaratta and Whittlesea have been called off under the latest lockdown – many for the second year in a row.
“Some are still remaining hopeful of doing something,” Mr Bowles said.
“The committees are holding out as late as they can be.”
Mr Bowles said the it was difficult to capture the economic impact to regional Victoria, with more than 500,000 people attending the 110 shows each year.
The former Bendigo Show secretary said the major Central Victorian show generated $3-4 million, while the larger Geelong show contributed $4-5.5 million for the region.
Mr Bowles said visitors would spread the money across the town, from accommodation, to saddles and feed stock to cake ingredients and craft supplies.
“It’s a massive wheel that keeps going,” he said.
Mr Bowles said last year there was JobKeeper and state funding to keep the shows afloat, but “there’s nothing on the horizon this time”.
City of Ballarat councillor Peter Eddy said the show was a major driver for the economy.
“We hope that the Ballarat Agricultural Committee can get through this,” Cr Eddy said.
“We will be there to offer any support we can. We hope they can bounce back bigger and better than ever and put on a real quality event for Ballarat.”
Mr Bowles said Shepparton, dealing with its Covid outbreak, was yet to cancel their show but it was inevitable.
Greater Shepparton City Council's director of sustainable development Geraldine Christou said an announcement would be made in the coming weeks about the show set for October 8-9.
“Greater Shepparton City Council acknowledges the importance of the annual Shepparton Agricultural Show to the fabric of our community and our events calendar," she said.
“We look forward to hosting events for our community and to generate visitation to the region when it is safe and appropriate to do so.”
Mr Bowel said the three-months of planning needed and the uncertainty of Victoria opening made it nearly impossible to prepare for.
Some communities are hosting “scaled” down events opting to go online or mail-in art, crafts and baking competitions or running their horse riding, dogs shows and cattle competitions without public attendance.
“Just to support some activity … it keeps the spirit,” he said.
“(But) when you have a stop of something, it’s hard to rebound.”
Mr Bowels said the loss was more than economic, it was a hit to rural community’s pride.
“The annual show is a time to out peoples talents on show, from breeding a bull … to baking the best chocolate cake in the region,” he said.
“It’s a celebration of agricultural talent.”
Mildura mayor Jason Modica said it was a huge hit to the region, both financially and emotionally, to see the region’s mid-October festival cancelled.
“It's the poultry club, it's the pony clubs, it's the sporting clubs ... it's the people that bake the cakes and do the jams and brew the beer and the kids that put the artwork in so it really is a collision of everyone from the region,” Cr Modica said.
“Whatever they've got to offer from a show right through to cake decorating."
Mr Bowels said the future show ticket might require a vaccine passport.
“It’s a step in the right direction,” Mr Bowles said.
Agricultural Show cancellations 2021
Provided by Victorian Agricultural Shows
July 16 – 18: Australian Sheep and Wool Show
July 16 – 18: North Central Victorian Sports Shears
August 2 – 3: Sheep Connect – Hamilton P & A Society
August 4 – 5: Mallee Machinery Field Days
August 28 – 29: Wentworth Show Society
September 19: Robinvale Euston Agricultural Show Society
September 23 – Oct 3: Royal Melbourne Show
October 1: Murtoa A & P Society Inc.
October 1- 2: Nathalia Agricultural Society (held online)
October 1 – 2: Swan Hill and District A & P Society
October 1 – 2: Yarrawonga and Border A & P Association
October 2: Goroke A & P Society Inc.
October 2 - 3: St. Arnaud Agricultural Society
October 3: Berrigan A & H Society
October 4: Kerang and District Agricultural Society
October 5 – 7: Elmore Machinery Field Days
October 7: Warracknabeal A & P Society
October 8 - 9: Donald P & A Society Inc.
October 8 - 9: Wangaratta Agricultural Society
October 9: Camperdown P & A Society
October 9: Sunbury Agricultural Society
October 10: Corowa P A & H Society
October 14: Nhill A & P Society
October 14 - 16: Mildura Show Society
October 14 – 17: Royal Geelong A & P Society
October 15 – 16: Benalla A & P Society
October 15 – 16: Wandin Silvan Field Days
October 16: Dimboola A & P Society
October 17: Jeparit A & P Society
October 20: Numurkah A & P Society
October 22 - 23: Bendigo Agricultural Show Society
October 22 – 24: Maffra and District A P & H Society
October 23: Stawell Agricultural Society
October 23 – 24: Cobram Agricultural Society
October 23- 24: Euroa Agricultural Society
October 24: Ararat Show Society
October 29 – 31: Sale and District Agricultural Society
October 29 - 30: Castlemaine & District Agricultural Society
October 30: Dookie A & P Society
November 1: Bushy Park Agricultural Show
November 1: Glengarry Agricultural Society
November 5 – 7: Colac and District P & A Society
November 6: Bairnsdale and District Agricultural Society
November 6: Coleraine P & A Society
November 6 - 7: Whittlesea Agricultural Society
November 12 - 14: Ballarat A & P Society
November 13 – 14: Bendigo National Swap Meeting
November 19 – 20: Kyneton Agricultural Society
December 4- 5: Traralgon and District Ag. Society
December 4: Dartmoor and District P & A Society
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