THE Camden Haven Show is the latest casualty of COVID-19 and will not go ahead in 2020.
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The Board of the PAH&I Society Inc issued a statement saying it was a disappointing decision but had been made with great consideration of current circumstances.
The show was to be held on October 17 and 18 at the Kendall Showground.
"The current restrictions in place for public gatherings, along with the uncertainty of any timeline around lifting restrictions makes it unworkable to hold a large event such as the show in 2020," the board said.
"We did not reach this decision easily as we all look forward to seeing friends, interacting with our great volunteers, sponsors and show people every year.
"We understand the meaning and significance of the show in our local region however the decision to cancel is based solely on placing the health, safety ad wellbeing of our community first and foremost."
The Board will now contact sponsors, exhibitors and stallholders and urges the community to show its support for all Camden Haven community events when restrictions are lifted.
"We look forward to the community's support for next year and hope this year holds not too many disappointments."
The Camden Haven Show has a proud history in the region.
At a meeting of the Agricultural Bureau in 1931 chaired by Mr. S.T. Boyd a motion was carried that a Junior Farmers Club be formed at Kendall.
This show was held at the school in the autumn of 1932 and was a great success. However, it was not until 1941 that the next show was held. It was decided that it should be held on the sports ground in November of that year.
"A lot of hard work ensued, poles cut for frameworks to be covered with tarpaulins for stalls, and coops for poultry," the Show Society's history recalls.
The show was opened by Mr Clive Evatt, the ringmaster was A. Wallace-Smith.
With World War II came expected difficulties but the 1942 show went ahead.
Soon after in 1944, it was felt that a showground was needed and about 30 acres of land was purchased on Batar Road from Mr H. Everingham for ten pounds per acre.
Two acres were later added from the Smith Estate on the northern end. It was years before the heavily timbered land was cleared and ready for a show.
In 1948 a Show Committee was formed and the three committees were amalgamated to form the Camden Haven Show P.A.H & I Society, with H.W. Arnold as president and J.W. Thickett as secretary.
The first show on this ground was held in 1949.
This year would have been the show's 72nd year.
The show is one of the largest and most popular events in the area. It brings together the Camden Haven community and presents a unique opportunity for the locals to showcase its wide variety of expertise and talent through displays and exhibits.