Mil Lel Show cancels at eleventh hour

ELEVENTH HOUR CANCELLATION: Mil Lel Agricultural and Horticultural Show Society members Lynette Fritsch, Liza Kirby and Sandra Robinson express their disappointment at the cancelation.

Charlotte Varcoe

ANOTHER Limestone Coast community show will not go ahead this year just five days before the expected launch date.

Earlier this week, the Mil Lel Agricultural and Horticultural Show Society made the tough call to cancel the annual event for the second year in a row.

It comes following a string of forceful restrictions implemented within the Mount Gambier, Grant District and Wattle Range council electorates after a Covid-19 positive case was found to be active in the community.

The current restrictions in place for the electorates left the society feeling as if they had no choice but to cancel the event – which would have had severe financial consequences had sponsors not donated their funds.

Show society treasurer Liza Kirby said all volunteers found making the decision difficult to make, yet believed it was the best option for broader public safety.

“Normally we would have an excess of 3000 people coming to our shows and we thought that it was not appropriate for us to host an event when there are all these restrictions and private events are being cancelled,” Ms Kirby said.

“It is really disappointing because we were having site-holders from Adelaide come down for the event but now they are also missing out too.”

Describing the annual show as a “get together” for the Mil Lel community, Ms Kirby said it will be hard for the broader community to not participate in a show for the second year in a row.

“It is frustrating and we always run the risk of having the virus come into the state but it is disappointing that it has happened so close to our event,” she said.

“Looking forward we are hoping to host the event again next year, and when our showbags do arrive we are also looking to host a drive-by purchase point so the children don’t miss out.”