Show Highlights - Tyrendarra Show

/

The Tyrendarra Agricultural Show has been run for the 103rd time and what a great show it was this year.  Crowd numbers were up, the entertainment provided was well received and the weather on the day was sensational.

 The Cookery section saw an increase on entries, with judges testing and tasting there way through in excess of 300 entries.  The Historical section had an amazing display of retro items which also saw great entry numbers in the classes and provided a great visual trip down memory lane for so many show goers. Cattle numbers that have been down in recent years saw a marked increase in both cattle and also young people participating in the section and with young people the future this was great to see.

With poultry this year’s feature we saw great numbers and enthusiasm from competitors and the general public.  The Craft and Fancy Work section also showed an amazing diversity of work, styles and materials being exhibited. With the weather for 2019/2020 being a little crazy, we saw a smaller Farm and Produce and Flower section but what was presented was of high quality.

We are finding as a show that we need to continue to advertise and while the traditional classes will be supported each year we need to constantly look to attract and encourage new participants and attendees to the show.  Our dedicated sectional stewards have been instrumental in thinking up new classes that are relevant to the times and appeal to people.  Farm and Produce section is a prime example, with the Honey section and egg emoji class in its second year having increased numbers and much interest from the public.

Social Media has again proven to be our cheapest form of advertising and also allows us to generate interest in specific classes or to offer guidance on class requirements.  It also provides us with a communication stream where people can message us questions and have them answered, this is not possible with Print, Radio or TV advertising.  Social Media also provided us with the ability to advertise for trade/market stands.  We had some great trade/market stand this year which along with our classes and the entertainment goes to make our little country show an event that people want to attend and participate in.

Anne Burley

President

Show Highlights - Foster Show

/

Here is a recap on Foster Agricultural Show. VAS would like to congratulate the Foster Agricultural Show of conducting a successful Show after being in Recess in 2019. VAS would love to hear from the Shows about what were the highlights oshowhif your 2020 Show. Send it through to info@vicagshows.com.au with a few photos.

We are pleased to deem the 112th Foster & District Ag Show a success! Perfect weather, new competitions including a woodchop and on farm dairy challenges combined with the immense enthusiasm of our local community for the return of their agricultural show resulted in exceptional attendance rates.

Strong competition returned to the exhibit shed with 10-12 entries in both the VAS Fruit Cake and Carrot Cake competitions. Horse classes, HRCAV ring and showjumping in particular, had high participation rates and the dog high jump was a real crowd favourite with the grandstand overflowing with spectators. Nearly 250 free showbags were awarded for our inaugural “Golden Brick Road” challenge for kids.

The committee would like to thank all the businesses and individuals that supported the return of our show be it financially or simply for their attendance. We are excited to spend the next 12 months working towards a great 113th Foster & District Show to be held on Saturday 27th February 2021!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

/

Wishing all Show Societies, Exhibitors and Supporters of Victorian Agricultural Shows a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

VAS appreciates your support and contribution you have made to the Victorian Agricultural Shows Movement in 2019 and we look forward to the 2020 Show Season.

The office will be reopen on the 30th December 2019 to prepare for the Saddle Horse Championships and the email address info@vicagshows.com.au will be monitored over this closing period.

VAS Christmas.png

Clunes Show Highlights

/

The 159th Clunes Show was held this year in fine conditions on Saturday November 16th 2019.  Supported from the community and exhibitors alike made for a great day.

29 utes competed in our Bute Utes competition and almost 1700 exhibits in the Homecrafts Pavilion made for a fabulous display.  Livestock exhibits included 190 sheep across 15 breeds, 16 cattle (6 breeds), 88 fleeces, 22 pens of goats and a quality display of prime lambs.

The kids enjoyed a fun range of activities and sideshow events including the dodgem cars.

Crowd favourite was unquestionably the dog high jump. 

Plans are underway now for the 160th Show to be held on Saturday 20th November 2020 and we also look forward to supporting Junior Ambassador entrant Matilda Hill in 2020.

Mansfield Show Highlights

/

Brilliant sunshine ensured a record crowd through the gates for the 130th Mansfield Show on Saturday, November 16.  Comments on the day ranged from “best show yet”, “we had a great day out” and “the kids loved it!”. Highlights included the return of Lachie Cossor’s Outback Stockman Show, a display of horsemanship skills, working dogs and the appearance of his Braham bull.   Horse entries were up this year with many positive comments about improvements to the arena prompting promises to return in 2020.

Entries in other sections were strong especially in the photography classes which was one of the biggest displays in the pavilion.

 The return of the side saddle classes after several years brought a touch of elegance of a bygone era. The Shetland Derby saw plenty of ponies and young riders take to the course in racing colours and entertain the crowd. The Dog High Jump sees working dogs showing off their prowess in front of an enthusiastic audience.

The fleece competition lures top class local wool producers to enter and junior cattle handling section draws several students from Geelong Grammar’s Timbertop Campus.

The school writing competition attracted more than 260 students from the Mansfield district which was a massive task for stewards and judges. Floriculture, cookery, needlework, garden produce, craft, art, produce, pickles and preserves attracted diverse entries across all age groups. One of the highlights is watching the excitement of young children taking out prizes with their entries. One young lad enters in more than 30 classes!

As always the show committee is grateful for the support of local sponsors and volunteers who make the show possible for another year.

Secretary

Lynn Elder

Photo Credits: Michelle Spencer