The South East Field Days - the state's largest annual field days - due to be held later this week is one of many major events across the state which is a casualty of the government-enforced restrictions aimed at reducing the spread of coronavirus.
But the other major event at the site, the Australian Yard Dog Championships, will still go ahead at this stage from Wednesday until the final run on Saturday.
Last Friday night the Lucindale Lions Club and SEFD committee held a meeting and in a secret ballot voted 19 votes to four votes to cancel the event which has been going for 42 years and attracts more than 15,000 patrons over the two days.
In a detailed statement it said it was with "deep regret" that it had cancelled the field days.
"We know that this will hurt exhibitors in many ways, but as a responsible Lions club, we have to protect the safety of all concerned," it said.
"We now have the huge task of advising all those concerned and involved with the Field Days, we apologize for placing this on each exhibitor, but the coronavirus in Australia is only in its infancy and all indications are that it is going to get much worse.
The statement said that even though the Lions Club would lose the income of non-attendance it was looking at several measures that may enable exhibitors to receive part refunds.
"We apologise once again for having to take this action, but we feel it's in the best interests of all. Health and safety must come first," the statement said.
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