Circular Head show the latest to be cancelled due ot Covid restrictions

A true agricultural show with a long and proud history has become the latest causality of complex crowd management rules and pandemic uncertainty.

A SHOW in one of Tasmania’s prime agricultural districts is the latest to fall victim to pandemic uncertainties which are simply making it too hard for organisers to forge ahead.

Organisers of the Circular Head Show have canned the 112th event - earmarked for November 27 - saying the current Covid-19 restrictions and the changing pandemic situation meant they had no alternative.

“The committee has always been proud of delivering a high standard family event and will endeavour to make that happen next year,” organisers said.

The annual Greenham’s Trade Cattle competition will still go ahead at the end of November with details to be announced soon.

October 10 is Burnie’s annual show day public holiday.

And while government and council services and some shops and restaurants will be shut there will be no show for the public to attend.

Dairy junior handler state final winners, third placed Harry Hamilton, Reserve Champion Samantha Johns and Champion Kyle Barker. Circular Head Show 208. TSC

Launceston, Burnie, Brighton and now Circular Head join a growing list of shows which have been cancelled this year.

There are fears some cancelled events might never be held again a was the case with the Devonport Show which never rebounded after being canned in 2017.

Showmen’s Guild of Tasmania president Debbie Welch told The Mercury recently providers of sideshow equipment were hurting due to two consecutive years of mass cancellations amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Circular Head Show Lisa Thompson Tasmanias champion junior dairy cattle handler and cow

“It is devastating,” she said. “The fact is, you’ve got to look for alternative employment.”

Under current Public Health guidelines, the maximum number of people allowed at outdoor events in Tasmania with people freely moving and mixing is 5000.

Along with the Royal Hobart Show, events at Bushy Park, Longford, Westbury, Deloraine and Scottsdale are still set to go ahead this year but that could change.

Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania chief executive Scott Gadd said there were challenges facing agricultural shows that predated the pandemic.

“The ageing population and the ageing volunteer profile is a bit of an issue, to be honest,” he said.

“It’s hard to say what’s going to happen show by show because every show is different.

“But I think there’s a real risk that over the next few years we’ll see some rationalisation.”

The state government is contributing $250,000 to ensure the Hobart Show goes ahead this year; and a $50,000 grant to Tasmanian Agricultural Shows for hygiene and patron management equipment.

Circular Head Show 2015. The female is Quarter way Frannie F49, exhibited by the Hall family of Quarter way Angus. The bull is Valley Hill Kevin K01, exhibited by the Mitchell family of Valley Hill Angus