One-day bid to save show

PLANS to save the Royal Launceston Show and make it a one-day event are under way.

Show society president Jock Gibson confirmed this week that the committee was exploring all options to keep the show running.

“We are hoping to be able to hold a show this year and if we do it will be a one-day show on the public holiday on the Thursday,” he said.

A lack of support from the public and ongoing financial issues have put the show’s future in serious doubt, but Mr Gibson said the committee was working hard to make it viable.

“We think it’s the best option for our creditors if we can trade out of this,” he said.

“We are carrying quite a lot of debt at the moment so we’ll need to do some fundraising before we could go ahead with a show this year.”

Mr Gibson said they had discussed the plan with the Launceston Council but it has not offered support.

“We think if we can get a similar number of people to what we did last year on the one day, instead of over three days, it will be viable,” he said.

Last year about 9000 people attended the show.

Holding the show for just one day will also significantly reduce costs, including for security.

While the details are yet to be fully worked out, Mr Gibson said it was likely classes for equestrian events and livestock will still be held over more than one day.

“We will have to condense some of them but I don’t think we’d be able to fit all of them into one day,” he said.

“At the moment some of the classes for the horses are always run on the Wednesday. If it was a one-day show we’d just have the main people’s day on Thursday and not charge people for entry on the other days competition is going on.” The National Heritage Trust has come out in support of the show, which Mr Gibson has welcomed.

Managing director of the National Trust Tasmania Matthew Smithies said since it began in 1834 the show has enchanted children and supported the rural community.

“This show is immeasurably important to our cultural identity, social capital, and local story,” he said.

Mr Gibson said a final decision will be made after all fundraising options have been considered.