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Sport

19 January, 2022

Covid-19 uncertainty claims upcoming Oakey B & B Rodeo

Due to the uncertain COVID-19 situation in Queensland, the Oakey Agricultural Pastoral and Rodeo Society has announced that its Annual B & B Rodeo will not be going ahead on February 6.


Local rodeo fans will have to wait until 2023 to enjoy the spectacle at the Oakey Showgrounds. - Photo, Allyson Gardener

Show Society president Judy Byers said the committee put a lot of thought into the decision.

“Oakey Show Committee made the difficult decision to cancel the Annual B & B Rodeo once again for 2022,” she said.

“Many factors were considered by the committee, the first and most important being the health and safety of our volunteers and the local community.”

Mrs Byers said the cost to run the event is considerable, in the proximity of $20,000, and these funds would go to waste if the Rodeo was to be cancelled at the last minute due to changes in Queensland Government and local government regulations.

Mrs Byers said the committee will now be looking forward to hosting the next two events on the annual calendar.

“In the coming weeks the Oakey Show committee meets to discuss the plans for the 2022 Show Ball and Annual Show,” she said.

The 2022 Show will be held on March 12 with the theme “Town Proud” while the Oakey Showball Gala Evening is set for February 26.

COVID IMPACTS OTHER SHOW EVENTS

With COVID cases growing in the wider Darling Downs, Show Societies with events set to go ahead in January and February have followed the Oakey committee in cancelling or postponing their functions.

The Allora Show Society officially cancelled its show which was to be held the weekend of February 4 and 5.

Another Allora event, the Heritage Weekend, set for this weekend, January 22 and 23 has been postponed indefinitely.

A spokesman for the Heritage Weekend said the Committee was concerned for the safety of volunteers, participants and spectators as well as the risk of Covid spreading throughout the wider community.

“The huge task is now underway to advise everyone involved of the postponement,” the spokesperson said.

“Another meeting of the Heritage Weekend will be held on 16th February to discuss future plans.”

Clifton Show Society also made the decision to postpone its show citing the potential health risks to the local community and financial implications involved with a last minute cancellation due to changes to government regulation.

Other 2022 events which have been cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19 include:

- Stanthorpe Show;
- Killarney Show;
- Jandowae Show; and

- Queensland Ag Shows Conference.



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