Tasmanian Agricultural Shows calls for public support for upcoming events

Tasmanian Agricultural Shows has released a statement urging the public to support the upcoming Bushy Park, Hamilton and Bream Creek shows.

With crowd restrictions, the complexity of preparing COVIDSafe plans for authorities and a risk averse public having each contributed to the cancellation and postponement of other agricultural shows, Tasmanian Agricultural Shows President, Scott Gadd commented “these are all family friendly, traditional Tasmanian shows, and it’s great to see them pressing ahead during this era of COVID restrictions."

Tasmania's Exeter and Chudleigh shows have already been cancelled this year while the Wynyard and King Island shows are postponed until an indeterminate date in the future, and Agfest has been moved to August.

Adding that the Royal Launceston Show, cancelled in 2020 and 2021, will proceed later this year as a three day event, Gadd added "these are all family friendly, traditional Tasmanian shows, and it’s great to see them pressing ahead during this era of COVID restrictions.

“If Tasmanians want to see their shows survive into the future, you couldn’t have a better day out than attending an agricultural show. The shows that managed to proceed last year displayed a high level of Covid compliance and there was not a single recorded Covid case as a result of attending an agricultural show.”

When last held in 2019 the Royal Launceston Show it was a one-day event.

• Bushy Park Show - 27th February

• Hamilton Show - 5th March

• Bream Creek Show - 20th March

More than 20 agricultural shows occur around Tasmania each year, but last year, only seven managed to proceed.

Speaking yesterday, Gadd went on to say "shows are part of Tasmania’s social and economic fabric, and their contribution to regional economies and social well-being helps differentiate the Tasmanian life style to other, more urban-orientated states.

"Sadly, COVID-19 and the response to COVID-19 has endangered their futures."