Agricultural show committees across Victoria cancel 2020 events due to coronavirus restrictions

Usually with spring comes the local agricultural show — but many committees across Victoria are already pulling the pin in late autumn due to coronavirus uncertainty.

On the backburner: Camperdown show committee members (from left) Andy Riordon, Ian Gladman and Garry Brian after the committee voted to postpone the show. Picture: Dannika Bonser

SHOWGROUNDS across Victoria will sit idle throughout spring for the first time since WW II as coronavirus restrictions hit the annual shows.

Victorian Agricultural Shows group secretary Rod Bowles says four committees — Camperdown, Swan Hill, Warrnambool and Wentworth — have officially called time on their 2020 events.

However, he expects other committees statewide to follow their lead after Premier Daniel Andrews this week extended Victoria’s state of emergency until the end of May.

“Much of it comes down to sponsorship. Many, many businesses across the country are doing it tough and they can’t make the usual contribution to their local show due to the uncertainty,” Mr Bowles said.

“Victoria has been lucky in some respects that many of our shows are held in spring, so it gives committees time to prepare. In NSW and Queensland, many show committees were hit straight away with the lockdown.”

Some committees, such as Horsham, have taken to social media to have a virtual event, encouraging participation in online competitions. Others, including the Yarram show committee, have warned attendees that its October event was no sure thing.

Mr Bowles said September and most October shows were unlikely to go ahead with a question mark remaining over November and December events.

Camperdown was set to celebrate its 150th agricultural show on October 10 but its committee decided to postpone its sesquicentennial to next year.

“In a way, the decision was made for us because local businesses can’t afford to give us the usual support due to all the uncertainty over (coronavirus),” show secretary Amanda Manifold said. “You have to plan months in advance for any event to run well and show committees don’t have that luxury of planning ahead. We’re keen to celebrate the 150th anniversary the right way, so 2021 will be our year.”

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