Cairns Show 2022 all systems go after Covid mandates end
Cairns Show organisers are sighing all the way into next week after receiving the best bit of news they have had in months.
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UPDATE: Cairns Show organisers are sighing all the way into next week after receiving the best bit of news they have had in months.
The threat of double-vaccination mandates was set to create massive issues ahead of their big event from July 13-15.
A state government decision to scrap the mandates on public venues from April 14 has prompted a collective loosening of jaws and unclenching of buttocks.
Cairns Show Society secretary-manager Ian Moller-Nielsen gave a nod to Cairns MP Michael Healy who had “worked in the background for ages” to fix the issue.
“It will make it a lot easier for us and other shows to operate,” he said.
“The hardest part was going to be the big long waits I don’t know about you, but a lot of people would see the lines and say, ‘Bugger this, I won’t go’.”
The group hopes the mandate end will help bring in revenue from other events which has been stymied since their introduction.
“Normally we have a lot of things happening in Fred Moule and the grounds,” Mr Moller-Nielsen said.
EARLIER: A logistical nightmare is threatening a proud Far North tradition as agricultural shows across Queensland grapple with lopsided Covid mandates.
Cairns Show organisers hope to finally bring the event back to its glory after successive years hampered by cancellations, restrictions and public fear.
The event is not until July 13-15 but volunteers are already weighing up whether it will be possible to operate under strict health rules.
Cairns Show Society secretary and manager Ian Moller-Nielsen said a double-vaccination mandate threatened to kill shows across the state.
“For all of the showgrounds in Queensland – but only Queensland – you must show a record of double vaccination to come into the grounds,” he said.
“It will be horrific for us at the show.
“I don’t know how we are going to do it.”
Mr Moller-Nielsen considered the organisation might have to take on more volunteers, although that was always a difficult prospect even in a normal year.
“Last year all shows ran simply with no masks, but making sure they had the 1.5m rule and that everyone checked in,” he said.
“There wasn’t a single case traced back to attendance to any Queensland show.”
Cairns is by no means the only place struggling with the double-vaxxed mandate.
The Gympie Show was scheduled to run in May but has been postponed until further notice because organisers could not handle the strict Covid mandates.
The peak body for shows across the state, Queensland Ag Shows, has taken aim at the state government for singling out shows.
Under the health directives, vaccination is not required if a showground being used for a community sporting activity like an equestrian event, weekend market or outdoors activity like fireworks.
However, vaccination proof is required if the showground is used for an agricultural show or another annual or occasional outdoor ticketed event such as a music, arts of cultural festival.
Mr Moller-Nielsen said it made no sense.
“Let’s face it, Queensland shows have been knocked and kicked around a fair bit over the past two or three years due to Covid,” he said.
“And now Queensland is the only state in Australia that has a double-vaccination mandate to attend.”
The state’s show calendar has been blotted out with cancellations and postponements this year, including the Pittsworth Show which recently issued the following alert.
“Due to Covid concerns we have had to modify our 2022 show for the safety of our volunteers and community,” it said.
“Unfortunately, all entertainment and pavilion competitions have been cancelled.
“We will, however, still hold some livestock competitions and the crop competition.”
The Cairns Show does not want to go down that route.
“Of the 20-odd shows that should run this year, I believe eight have cancelled and 12 have postponed,” Mr Moller-Nielsen said.
“We are hoping to go ahead with the whole thing but it is making it hard.”
A Queensland Health spokesman said the rules were in place for a reason.
“The risks from Covid-19 are not over yet,” he said.
“Easing restrictions has always been a phased approach and managed sensibly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all Queenslanders.
“Vaccination requirements for showgrounds do not specifically target one industry, rather the type of event being held in the community.”
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Originally published as Cairns Show 2022 all systems go after Covid mandates end
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