July 29, 2021 | By Bronwen Largier
Victoria’s largest community event has been cancelled for the second consecutive year due to the pandemic.
The event, which was set to run from September 23 to October 3, usually attracts around 450,000 people across its 11-day run and contributes $244 million to the state’s economy each year.
The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) President, Matt Coleman said the show was a valuable platform to promote and celebrate agricultural and agricultural producers from across regional and rural Victoria.
”Whilst the RASV Board is disappointed to make the decision to cancel the 2021 Royal Melbourne Show, we felt it important for all those planning to be involved in the event including exhibitors, competitors, judges, stewards, sponsors and volunteers that they have certainty so they can make informed decisions in relation to their own arrangements,”
The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria Chief Executive Officer, Brad Jenkins, said the cancellation was “deeply disappointing” and said it was due to “operational constraints, challenges and risks in holding major events during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly those with large free roaming crowds”.
“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause significant disruption in planning and delivering major events,” he said.
In its 150 plus-year history, the show has only been cancelled twice before the pandemic – in 1915 due to WW1 and between 1940 and 1945 due to WW2.