It may feel like a grim start to 2020, but Nowra Show - and Sydney Royal Easter Show - Ring Master John Bennett says there's still plenty to smile about.
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Coming hot on the heels of a mammoth effort to make a post-bushfire Nowra Show go ahead, news of the Sydney Royal Easter Show being cancelled due to COVID-19 is disheartening.
But it's also brought out some of the best in our community, Mr Bennett said.
"It's tough for exhibitors who have spent the past 12 months preparing and qualifying," he said.
"To get the news so close - when everything's in peak condition - is rough.
"What has been wonderful is how accepting our community has been, and how mindful of each other - people have been ringing around just to check in on one another."
He said the Sydney Royal Easter Show had been cancelled just twice in its 200-year history, and both times due to a flu pandemic.
But it was important to the show society that they lead from the front by following medical advice.
"There was no question that we would do everything as advised by the top medical professionals in the country," he said.
"It's important not to buck the rules and do what we're told."
He said it had taken a while for the seriousness of the pandemic, and its potential impact on the show, to sink in for people living outside Sydney.
"There was a lot of disbelief early on," he said.
"Now we're all on the same page, it's serious for everyone."
He said show events had been cancelled around the globe due to the pandemic.
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And despite the impact on growers and producers, Mr Bennett was heartened by the way people have reached out to support one another.
"Financially, it's tough for everyone at the moment," he said.
"But we all banded together during the fires and I am very confident we will all be right.
"I know there has been some silliness in shopping centres, but there has also been a wonderful spirit of kindness."
There are some administrative and practical issues that still need to be worked through - for instance, the show ribbons for 2020 have already been produced and delivered - and Mr Bennett said those decisions would be made in a calm and methodical way.
And he has high hopes for the Sydney Royal Easter Show 2021.
"After hard times, the most important thing is for people to have a place to come together," he said.
"The Nowra show this year was exactly that.
"Fortunately the show movement are a tough lot, and will the [Sydney Royal Easter] show be on next year as good as ever? You bet."