Heatwave forces cancellation of Agricultural Show

THE annual Bellarine Agricultural Show has been cancelled ahead of the Labour Day long weekend, with temperatures expected to soar across the region.

The event, now in its 32nd year, was due to be held this Sunday, March 10 at the Portarlington Recreation Reserve.

Earlier today (Friday, March 8), Bellarine Agricultural Society vice-president Janet McDonald said the decision to cancel the event was made to ensure the safety of both the public and the livestock.

“We’ve just made the call at lunchtime – due to adverse weather, we cannot go ahead.

“We’re just going ahead with our cookery, produce and aged care crafts because we can still use the football rooms because they’re air conditioned, but everything else we’ve had to cancel.”

She said the committee’s weather policy called for the event to be cancelled when the weather surpasses 36 degrees, or the wind surpasses 35 kilometres.

Hot and dry conditions are forecast for this weekend and temperatures are expected to hit the high 30s and low 40s.

“We’ve had advice from District 7 CFA, and we’ve spoken to our insurance people, and unfortunately, they’ve all said we need to be careful,” Ms McDonald said.

“It’s such a shame because we’ve worked so hard.

“We’ll be back bigger than ever next year.”