Ag show uncertainty continues after another cancellation

Another major agricultural show has been cancelled in Tasmania as committees around the state face difficult decisions in the next few months.

Royal Hobart Show. Emilia, 8 and sister Aniela Kowalski, 14. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Two of Tasmania’s biggest agricultural shows have been cancelled and uncertainty is continuing about which other events may not go ahead this year.

The Royal National Agricultural and Pastoral Society of Tasmania has announced that the Royal Launceston Show has been cancelled this year.

In a letter to stakeholders, show chief executive officer Brian Bennett said it had been a difficult decision but was due to the current uncertainty around when the COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted.

The Royal Launceston Show has been held almost every year since 1873, but Mr Bennett said in the current situation the show committee could not guarantee the safety of those involved and show patrons.

Launceston Show president Jock Gibson said the decision will have a financial impact on the show.

“It will cause difficulties, but we have't been making huge amounts of money out of the show in the last few years,” he said.

“But we certainly couldn't afford to go ahead with the show and make a loss, that would be a disaster.”

Mr Gibson said the current social distancing requirements meant there was also a risk of problems with the event’s insurance.

The announcement comes after a last week’s decision by the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania to also cancel the Royal Hobart Show.

RAST chief executive Scott Gadd said the organisation is looking into the possibility of holding a smaller scale event.

“The cancellation of the Show is a major financial blow to the Society,” Mr Gadd said.

“It’s also a hit for the local economy. We have advised hundreds of organisations and individuals, ranging from suppliers to exhibitors and entertainers, that we are unable to mount an event the size of the Royal Hobart Show this year.”

Mr Gadd said unfortunately the decision is also likely to have repercussions for many of Tasmania’s 23 other agricultural shows.

At this stage a decision on the Burnie Show, which kicks of the state’s spring show calendar, has not been made.

Committee member Kyle Barker said while they are considering a number of option, a final decision this year’s planned show on October 2-3 will not be made until the end of August.

Mr Barker said some of the options they are considering is postponing the show until early next year or even extending the show to run over more days to accommodate the social distancing requirements.

Mr Barker said the large size of show’s new grounds could be a significant advantage this year.

“Obviously our preferred option would be to hold a two day show in early October, but we’ve done a COVID-Safe plan and we think we can meet it because of the size of our site and fact it's so big,” he said.

Despite the challenges, the Campbell Town Show committee is determined to see a smaller scale event go ahead this year.

They were forced to postpone the show, which was due to be held two weeks ago.

After surving a number of challenges over the years, including two world wars, Campbell Town holds the record of the southern hemisphere’s longest continually running agricultural show.

The Midlands Agricultural Association president George Gatenby said at this stage the committee is putting plans in place to hold a scaled down show on December 5.

“When we met earlier in the year the committee was unanimous they want to continue the tradition of if we can,” he said.

“It’s all in the planning phase at the moment but we’d like to do something and be able to present some of the awards that we have done in the past.”

At this stage Mr Gatenby said some of the events that would likely be included are a fleece competition, equestrian events and the working sheep dog trials.

The Campbell Town Show was one of five Tasmanian shows to received funding grants through the Federal Government’s $20 million Ag Shows support program.

The MAA will receive a $499,000f grant which it will use to upgrade the LA Burbury Pavillion to a muti use function centre at the show grounds.

Mr Gatenby said the facility will be expanded to hold up to 270 people will also be equipped with a commercial kitchen and could be used for a range of events.

Other shows to receive funding through the program include Flinders Island, Huon, Longford and Wynyard.