This year's Royal Melbourne Show has been cancelled, for only the third time in its history, due to conerns over social distancing.
The RASV has presented the Royal Melbourne Show since 1855, cancelling the event only during the two world wars.
"The COVID-19 health crisis is unprecedented and the ongoing social distancing measures and mass gathering restrictions mean that in the best interest of public health, we are unable to plan and deliver the 2020 Royal Melbourne Show," RASV chief executive officer Brad Jenkin said.
"It was also important to decide on the Royal Melbourne Show now, as many sponsors, exhibitors and competitors spend months preparing for the Show," Mr Jenkin said.
"We also rely on hundreds of volunteers including committees, judges, stewards and more, who give their time so generously each year for the Royal Melbourne Show, many of whom take annual leave or time away from their farm.
"We are fortunate to have an incredibly passionate and supportive community involved in the Royal Melbourne Show each year and during these uncertain times we wanted to give everyone as much notice as possible."
The announcement follows the cancellation of the Adelaide Royal, Brisbane Ekka and Sydney Royal Easter Show earlier this year, all in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other events, such as the Australian Sheep & Wool Show and Sheepvention, have also been cancelled.
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The Royal Melbourne Show is Victoria's largest and most iconic annual community event, attracting around 450,000 visitors over 11 days each year and contributing more than $244 million in value to Victoria's economy annually.
"Importantly, the Royal Melbourne Show is a unique and valuable platform to promote and celebrate excellence in agriculture with thousands of agricultural exhibitors from rural and regional Victoria coming together at Melbourne Showgrounds," Mr Jenkin said.."
"While the gates won't open this September, the RASV will continue to promote and celebrate food and agriculture, cultivate events and strengthen communities.
The RASV was exploring alternative opportunities to present some of the traditional and much-loved elements of the Royal Melbourne Show online in an all-new virtual experience.
It was also planning to create new events and celebrations to support food and agricultural producers.
"We thank the Victorian community for their support and look forward to bringing everyone together to celebrate the Royal Melbourne Show when it returns bigger and better in 2021 from Thursday 23 September 23 to Sunday October 3, at Melbourne Showgrounds," Mr Jenkins said.
Australian Stud Sheep Breeders Association state president Gavin Wall said while it was a disappointing decision, members realised why the show had been cancelled.
He said planning for a virtual show had been underway, for several weeks.
"We can't just lie down - we have to do something, making use of the available technology, to have some form of competition," Mr Wall said.
Other organisations were holding similar on-line shows, but Wall acknowledged it would be challenging to present exhibits,by video, for judging.
"Sometimes the exhibits are very close and hard to separate," he said.
It would also depend on finding sponsors, who would be willing to take part in return for having their products advertised.
But Mr Wall said a 'virtual' show could open the competition up for exhibitors from states such as Western Australia.
"I don't have a crystal ball, but I believe we will do something," he said.
"The RASV has some fantastic staff, who are leaders in the field of IT.
"I believe - with their help - we will get something happening."
Lincoln sheep breeder Ian Christie, Byaduk, said it was disappointing, but understandable.
"We just have to adapt, it gives us a bit more time to do some work at home, I guess," Mr Christie said.
Mr Christie said going to the show, and events like Sheepvention, was as much about meeting old friends, and making new ones, as exhibiting animals.
"We meet, and compare notes - it's a lot of fun," he said.
"But I was pretty definite we wouldn't be going.
'My wife (Rae) works in a hospital and it's pretty serious, so I was almost certain it wasn't going to be on."
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