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COVID-19 vaccinations to be mandatory for Wagin Woolorama attendees

Headshot of Adam Poulsen
Adam PoulsenCountryman
Wagin Woolorama Merino judging.
Camera IconWagin Woolorama Merino judging. Credit: Astrid Volzke

The organisers of WA’s biggest sheep show have confirmed anyone wanting to attend the 50th anniversary Wagin Woolorama will have to be double-vaccinated against COVID-19.

Event manager and secretary Amy Kippin told Countryman the decision, announced this month, was in line with the State Government’s Safe Transition Plan.

“Part of the interim health measures included in the plan is that from late January, attendees of events of over 1000 people will require proof of vaccination to enter,” she said.

“We’re going to run our show in line with State Government requirements. We don’t have a choice on that.”

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Wagin Woolorama attracted 20,000 people this year after narrowly avoiding the February lockdown of the Perth and Peel areas.

In 2020, it was WA’s last agricultural field day to go ahead before the State was plunged into a lengthy lockdown on March 15.

The 2022 event is scheduled to take place on March 11 and 12 at the Wagin Showgrounds.

“We’re reviewing our COVID event safety plan again, and we’ll be implementing all of that,” Ms Kippin said.

“We’re running the show as per State Government requirements, and those may change between now and then.”

Wagin Woolorama event manager and secretary Amy Kippin.
Camera IconWagin Woolorama event manager and secretary Amy Kippin. Credit: Shannon Verhagen/Countryman

Ms Kippin said organisers were gearing up for a special celebration of the event’s five-decade history.

“It’s very exciting, there’s so much going on and we’ve got golden anniversary themes going on throughout the show,” she said.

“I don’t think I’ve come across a section that isn’t doing something new or something special for the 50th Wagin Woolorama.

“There’ll be lots of purple and gold around the place. “

The Safe Transition Plan coincides with the State Government’s target of achieving a 90 per cent double-dose vaccination rate in West Australians aged 12 and over by late January or early February.

As well as attendance at major events, nightclubs and casinos, proof of vaccination will be required for interstate travel into WA, and quarantine-free international travel.

Additional proof of vaccination requirements may be introduced if the 90 per cent vaccination target is not met.

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