Shows struggle to go on due to coronavirus

The coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19, has forced the cancellation, postponing and review of a number of national, state and local events including sporting fixtures.

The Royal Easter Show, Narrabri Show and the annual Boggabri Drovers’ Campfire have all been cancelled as well as traditional, public ANZAC day services in NSW.

However, there has been no announcement yet about the Wee Waa Show that is due to be held in mid-May.

Wee Waa Showgirl Georgie Haire is one of a number of locals who were looking forward to attending this year’s Royal Easter Show and was sad to hear about the cancellation of both the Narrabri and Easter Shows, but agreed with the decisions.

Georgie is a wonderful advocate for Wee Waa and had been selected to represent Zone 4, and compete for the Royal Showgirl title at the Easter Show in April.

“I was really sad to hear that the Royal Easter show was cancelled,” said Georgie.

“It is disappointing for regional communities as agricultural shows are the highlight of the year for many, with the Royal Easter show being one of the most anticipated events of the year.

“People from all over Australia come together to showcase their talents and celebrate how wonderful regional Australia really is.

“It would have been a fantastic time for everyone to come together to celebrate the resilience that communities have shown in the past year.

“However, I believe that they have made the right decision to help stop the rapid spread of the virus and protect our smaller communities.

“I believe that the health of our communities is more important than the show going ahead and putting people’s health at risk.

“I hope that the Showgirl competition can still go ahead at a later date as it is such a great program for young ladies, but I understand that this may not be possible.

“I am very fortunate to have already gained a lot from my Showgirl experience,”added Georgie.

On Sunday, The Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that limits would be placed on organised gatherings and visits to vulnerable groups to help prevent the spread of coronavirus,

‘Non-essential’ gatherings of more than 500 people have been banned.

In NSW, individuals who fail to comply with the ban on gatherings of more than 500 could face up to six months in prison or a fine of up to $11,000 or both, plus additional penalties for each day the offence continues.

Corporations face even harsher fines.

People flying into Australia from overseas are required to self-isolate for 14 days, the Government is also raising its advice on social distancing recommending people avoid handshakes and stay one-point-five metres apart.

On Tuesday morning, the NSW Health Department reported 171 coronavirus cases in the state.

“This virus began in China and has now reached some 114 countries,” Prime Minister Morrison said in an address last week.

“The medical experts tell us that for most Australians in good health, who contract the virus, they will experience a mild illness.

“That said, this virus is also highly transmissible and for those Australians whose health is more vulnerable, especially the elderly, the risk is more severe.”

A number of events have been cancelled following the Prime Minister’s advice and comments.

The President of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Robert Ryan OAM said it was “distressing and disappointing” to cancel the Royal Easter Show for 2020.

“There are many people who will be very upset by this decision, and this is the first time the Sydney Royal Easter Show has been cancelled because of a public health emergency since the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1919,” Mr Ryan said.

Chief Executive of the Royal Agricultural Society Brock Gilmour said the cancellation of the Show was a “huge disappointment” for the Show community, particularly
exhibitors and visitors from rural and regional NSW who love attending the Show to catch up with friends every year.

“The Sydney Royal Easter Show generates $250 million in economic activity each year and the decision to cancel will affect many stakeholders and businesses, including the RAS,” Mr Gilmour said.

“We commence the task of communicating with all our stakeholders and helping them adjust to the reality that the Sydney Royal Easter Show 2020 will not go ahead.

“We are in the process of implementing a number of measures to deal with priority concerns including refunding or holding over competition fees, refunding tickets purchased by the general public and unwinding contracts with hundreds of suppliers.

“This process will take weeks and we will work hard to keep our stakeholders informed as we work through the detail.

“Cancelling the Show will cost the RAS tens of millions of dollars, and as a not-for-profit association, we will be working with the NSW Government to soften the financial hit to the RAS and to our stakeholders.

“The RAS survived the 1919 Spanish Flu pandemic, the Great Depression, World War Two, and we will survive coronavirus and the Show will be as big, bold and exciting as ever in 2021,” Mr Gilmour said.

Member for Barwon Roy Butler described the cancellation of the Royal Easter Show as ‘a blow’ for regional communities.

In a statement released at the weekend, Mr Butler said he will be renewing his calls for cash-based assistance for regional communities following the Government’s announcement banning gatherings of over 500 people in response to COVID-19.

“Our regional economies, especially agriculture dependant economies had a small ray of hope with some rain, and a season of local shows, race carnivals, festivals and themed events promising to bring some much needed turnover to small business in regional communities,” said Mr Butler.

“This blow of lost revenue for our towns who are now unlikely to have gatherings of over 500 people makes the need for urgent cash-based assistance to regional communities, farmers and small business all the more urgent.

“I understand the Government needed to make this call to help stop the spread and transmission of COVID-19.

“But the impact of the cancellation of events will be devastating for communities and businesses.”

The Federal Government has announced a $17.6 billion stimulus plan.

“To keep Australians in jobs and businesses in business we have today announced a $17.6 billion economic stimulus plan,” said Prime Minister Morrison in an address on March 12.

“We’re subsidising half the wages of 117,000 apprentices in small businesses, providing one-off $750 payments to more than 6 million Australians to spend in our economy now. Almost two and half million pensioners will receive this support.

“There’s direct cash support of up to $25,000 for small and medium sized business that employ over seven million Australians, to boost their cash flow.

“And we’re backing businesses to keep investing by increasing tax incentives to help them buy new equipment now. “

On Tuesday, the NSW Government announced a $2.3 billion coronavirus stimulus package including extra health funding and payroll tax exemptions for businesses.

NSW Health will receive an extra $700 million to boost a range of services such as doubling the capacity of intensive care units across the state, preparing for additional coronavirus testing and buying extra ventilators and medical equipment.

The remaining $1.6 billion was dedicated to much-anticipated economic stimulus measures, designed to keep people in jobs throughout the crisis.

NSW Department of Education has also announced precautionary measures to limit the impact of coronavirus in schools.

All school assemblies, excursions and sporting fixtures have been cancelled but schools remain open, at this stage.

All North West sporting competitions and selection trials have been postponed until further notice.

The Department of Health is urging people to follow simple steps to slow the spread of the virus including washing hands with soap and avoiding physical contact.