Charlotte Varcoe
THE 2021 Mount Gambier Agricultural and Horticultural Show is planned to continue this year provided organisers can extra COVID marshals, cleaners and security personnel.
The society has put a public callout for volunteers to assist in bringing the major event to life to help cater for up to 10,000 attendees.
Show society junior vice president Tammy Flier said if the committee was not able to secure the extra volunteers, the show would likely have to be cancelled for a second consecutive year given the strict guidelines imposed by South Australian health authorities.
“It is a little unfair to expect our small group of volunteers to do all of that while also enforcing social distancing and masks if they remain mandatory,” she said.
“Although we are still waiting to see if our COVID-19 safety management plan has been approved, if we do not get the numbers we need to further assist with these requirements we will not be able to host the show again.”
Ms Flier said she hoped the community would band together to support the event with volunteers already contributing countless hours to planning and organising.
“There are requirements in the COVID-19 safety management plan that need to be done which the community may not even think of and so we are hoping to get that community support together to save our 2021 show.”
Ms Flier said despite the minor setback, if the show were to go ahead this year there would be a number of changes in its procedure including electronic only tickets and one way entry points to popular exhibits.
As for rides and entertainment, Ms Flier said it would not be an issue this year with many entertainment opportunities available within South Australia and Western Australia including the popular sideshow alley.
“We are really hoping the community will back us up and are available to help us host an event this year because we all want to see people enjoy the show as much as we do.”
For those able to assist or require further information they are able to contact the show society front office on (08) 8725 1873.
