Royal Melbourne Show 2020 event cancelled due to coronavirus
Coronavirus has stolen the show, forcing the cancellation of the iconic 2020 Royal Melbourne Show for only the third time in its 165-year history. But the organisers are planning a new way to keep tradition alive.
THE 2020 Royal Melbourne Show has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It is only the third time in its 165-year history the show has been called off, with the previous two times being due to war.
The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria said it was disappointed to be cancelling the September event but was doing so in the interests of public health.
Current social distancing measures and mass gathering restrictions played a big part in the decision.
RASV chief executive Brad Jenkins said: “It was important to decide on the Royal Melbourne Show now, as many sponsors, exhibitors and competitors spend months preparing for the show.
“We also rely on hundreds of volunteers including committees, judges, stewards and more, who give their time so generously each year for the Royal Melbourne Show, many of whom take annual leave or time away from their farm.
“We are fortunate to have an incredibly passionate and supportive community involved in the Royal Melbourne Show each year and during these uncertain times we wanted to give everyone as much notice as possible.”
The decision, announced today, follows the cancellation of the Royal Adelaide Show two weeks ago, which was scheduled to be held just weeks before the Royal Melbourne Show.
At the time, organisers of the Melbourne show said its event would still go ahead despite Adelaide’s decision.
Brisbane’s Ekka show, scheduled for August, was cancelled earlier this month.
The Royal Melbourne Show attracts about 450,000 visitors over 11 days and contributes more than $244 million to Victoria’s economy each year.
Victorian Major Events Minister Martin Pakula said the cancellation was “disappointing but perfectly understandable”.
“It's very disappointing for kids (and) for our agricultural sector. The show is the pinnacle of the year for many farmers, in terms of those who bring animals and produce to show, but it is unfortunately just one more unavoidable consequence of COVID-19,” he said.
Mr Pakula said “given the uncertainty around mass gatherings and crowds in September” the organisers felt they had no choice and could not delay the decision any longer.
The RASV said it was exploring alternative ways to present some of the Royal Melbourne Show’s elements online in a virtual experience.
“While the gates won’t open this September, the RASV will continue to promote and celebrate food and agriculture, cultivate events and strengthen communities,” Mr Jenkins said.
The Royal Melbourne Show will return from Thursday, September 23, to Sunday, October 3, next year at Melbourne Showgrounds.
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