Organisers of AG-QUIP, Australia’s largest agricultural field day, have made the “highly disappointing, very frustrating but absolutely necessary” decision to postpone the event which was due to be held next month.
Kate Nugent, ACM Rural Events group manager told the Northern Daily Leader that it was a difficult decision to postpone the event – Mrs Nugent said they recognised the mixed emotions through Gunnedah about whether it should or shouldn’t go ahead – but made the decision as they couldn’t compromise on safety.
At least 35 per cent of the exhibitors come from Queensland, South Australia and Victoria, which has now closed it’s border to NSW.
Mayor of Gunnedah, Jamie Chaffey, said the financial loss from cancelled hotel, motel, restraurant and other bookings is a consideration however the risk around health concerns is the first consideration as a council and the right decision has been made.
It is the second time Ag-Quip has not gone ahead in August, after last years event was initially moved from August to later on in 2020 before eventually being cancelled.
COVID has also caused the temporary closure of the Tamworth Powerstation Museum, in the interest of health and wellbeing of the staff and volunteers.
Birdge Guthrie, councils director of the Art Gallery and Museums, said many museums across regional NSW have already closed under current COVID-19 public health orders.
Volunteers will continue to work behind closed doors at the museum doing a range of documenting and admin tasks, however it will be closed to the public until further notice.
The visitor information centre at the Big Golden Guitar has now reopened to regular opening hours.
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