Border snap closure hits sheep studs and shuts off showing

Sheep breeders from NSW are scrambling for information about access to the Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show, as Covid-19 tightens its grip north of the Murray River.

Police speak to travellers at Chiltern in north east Victoria on Saturday. Picture: Simon Dallinger

NSW sheep studs planning to attend the Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show this weekend have had their plans thrown into chaos as their state’s virus outbreak worsens.

This comes as Sydney’s Covid-19 outbreak spreads, with 112 cases reported today.

The Victorian border was shut to NSW and the ACT at midnight and could remain closed for weeks amid the outbreak.

The drastic measure — now in force — means anyone returning from NSW must get tested and isolate for 14 days.

Some NSW studs located within the NSW—Victoria border bubble are still planning to attend the Bendigo event, but others outside will have months of work and planning go to waste.

A new breed — due to make its showing debut this weekend — is still on track to attend.

Scott Mitchell, Rene sheep studs, Culcairn, NSW, said he would still be bringing his team of 45 sheep, including 14 Charollais, to Bendigo this year.

“We are inside the border bubble here, and so is Bendigo, so we should still be right to attend, but there are a fair few big NSW studs that just won't be able to make it work,” Mr Mitchell said.

“We think we can still make it, at this stage, but who knows, things change so quickly at the moment.

“We just have to show our license at the border to prove where we live and we should get through.”

But for Hillden Poll Dorsets, Bannister, NSW, the border news is not good.

Hillden principal Jame Frost was planning on bringing his own team of sheep to the show, and was also due to judge the Charollais sheep section.

“We are outside of the border bubble; I am trying to find out it there is a way we can do it but at this point I don’t think it is very likely that we can go,” Mr Frost said.

“It is pretty disappointing given all the time and preparation that go into preparing sheep to go into a show like that at this time of year.

“Bendigo is such a good show with a great crowd around, it is one of our major shows for the year.”

Mr Frost said missing out attending, while many other studs could attend, “could have a bit of an impact” on his stud’s marketing efforts.

“It could, people don’t see you out and about as much, it could make a bit of a difference,” he said.

“Anyhow, it is disappointing this has happened anyway.”

The three day Bendigo event, starting on Friday, is still going ahead, with no change to scheduling at this point.

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