Society members met last week and acknowledged that COVID-19 restrictions would not allow the annual Horsham Show to go ahead in its usual form in 2020.

But members hope some individual livestock competitions will still run exhibitor-only-style.

Executive administrator Andrea Cross said any competitions would complement the Virtual Horsham Show.

The virtual show was launched at the start of May and will run to show week in September. It aims to keep showgoers connected in the face of restrictions.

Read more: Horsham Show 2020 takes a virtual turn due to COVID-19 pandemic

Chief stewards of various competitions will now investigate possibilities to cater to all stages of restrictions, ensuring what could be delivered would meet the criteria of bans and insurance.

"We've ... identified the potential risks in an evolving strategic plan and we believe there is the potential to deliver some competitions in varying degrees with significant changes to how we've traditionally run them, including organising them on different days to maintain social distancing and without the public attending for example," Mrs Cross said.

The show society will make a firm decision on the individual competitions at the end of June.

Other news:

President Zack Currie said people were keen to get involved.

"Managing effort for reward will be the greatest challenge but there are competitors who are keen to return to the competition circuit," he said.

"There are no guarantees this will go ahead until all options have been explored in their entirety."

Dates of competitions could be announced depending on the easing of restrictions, with about a four-week window from announcement to competition date.

Almost 20 people attended last week's virtual meeting to discuss carrying the traditional competitions of showing amidst regional and national shows cancelling across the nation.

Mrs Cross said the show society also aimed to engage its community in popular activities such as cooking, craft-making and vegetable-growing.

"It has always been our intent from the onset of the bans, to provide something for the show community, to engage them in what is now becoming popular at home for many families... but this is next level," she said.

Did you know you can receive updates from the Wimmera Mail-Times straight to your inbox? To make sure you're up-to-date with news from across the region, sign up below.