Tooraweenah Show cancelled for 2020

Show committee publicity officer Sue Armstrong said that this announcement is made “with a heavy heart”.

“This decision was not made lightly but we feel we have a responsibility to you and your family and our community to take this unprecedented action,” said Mrs Armstrong.

“This is only the second time in 104 years that the show has not been held. It was not held once in World War I when our farmers were at war.”

The meeting held at the Mountain View Hotel also decided the new office bearers for the show society going into 2021. Ben Gale will be taking over as president, with Will Bowman and Brendan Butler taking office as the vice-presidents.

Kristy Gale will continue as secretary and Kylie Moppett will be assistant secretary and also take on the new role of grants officer. Brian Mockler will continue as treasurer and Lester Thurston will be assistant treasurer and public officer. Other positions including stewards will be ratified at a later date. Mr Gale said called the decision to cancel the show “very sad” and “very hard”.

“Show weekend brings in lots of visitors to the town who spend their money at our local businesses. Unfortunately, this is just another hit in what has been a hard few years for local economy. 

“Luckily Tooraweenah community show a lot of resilience and are always working together to help each other out and the show society are already looking at ways we may be able to run some smaller events throughout the next 15 months and then a bigger and better show in 2021,” said Mr Gale.

These activities include working dog trials, equestrian activities and family friendly events, with work continuing on the upgrades to the grounds and amenities.

The incoming president said that he is very lucky that the outgoing president Mrs Armstrong and the outgoing committee have made the transition and changeover as easy as possible. Mr Gale said that even though the upcoming challenges for himself will be quite new, his confidence in the strength and cohesiveness of the committee beside him make him excited for the future of Tooraweenah PA and H Association.