2026 VAS Ltd Show Awards Results

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It is hard to believe it has been over a week already since the 2026 VAS Ltd Show Awards were announced at the VAS Ltd Convention! We are excitied to feature all the Winners, Runner Ups & Finalists for each of the awards and congratulate them on their successes!

It was amazing to have every finalist in attendance at the Convention Dinner to recognise and acknowledge the contributions to the Victorian Agricultural Shows Movement.

VAS Ltd would like to acknowledge Gallagher Australia for their naming rights sponsorship of the Show Awards and Bronia Henty-Smith for presenting the awards on the night. Thank you for your support towards the Victorian Agricultural Shows Movement!

Full Results & Pictures Click Here

Best Innovation Small Section

Winner: Numurkah Show - Innovation: Town Scavenger Hunt

Runner Up: Cohuna Show - Innovation: Fair Lemonade

Best Innovation Medium Section

Winner: Boort Show - Innovation: Ute Show

Runner Up: Donald Show - Innovation: Shining a Light on the Health & Wellbeing of our Community

Finalist: Dandenong Show - Innovation: Kids Korner

Finalist: Nathalia Show - Innovation: Dinosaur Theme

Best Innovation Large Section

Winner: Foster Show - Innovation: Back to Back Wool Challenge

Runner Up: Whittlesea Show - Innovation: On-the-go Marketing

Finalist: Berwick Show - Innovation: Discovery Trail

Finalist: Wangaratta Show - Innovation: Dinosaur Discovery

Best Marketing Campaign Small Section

Winner: Goroke Show

Best Marketing Campaign Medium Section

Winner: Donald Show

Best Marketing Campaign Large Section

Winner: Whittlesea Show

Runner Up: Shepparton Show

Finalist: Berwick Show

Outstanding Individual Contribution 39 Years & Under Section

Winner: Corryong Show: Emma Klippel

Runner Up: Dandenong Show: Kate Reedy

Finalist: Berwick Show: Bridget Leahy

Finalist: Stawell Show: Emma Bourke

Finalist: Yarrawonga Show: Lisa Beattie

Outstanding Individual Contribution 40 - 59 Years Section

Winner: Donald Show: Nicole Nunn

Runner Up: Wangaratta Show: Charmane Bennett

Finalist: Clunes Show: Robert Anderson dec.

Finalist: Whittlesea Show: Emma Horman

Outstanding Individual Contribution 60 Years & Over Section

Winner: Boort Show: Marjory Potter

Runner Up: Yea Show: Elaine White

Finalist: Rochester Show: Faye Moon

Finalist: Sunbury Show: Edward Troutbeck

Finalist: Whittlesea Show: Robert Draper dec.

People’s Choice Award

Winner: Donald Show

Runner Up: Whittlesea Show

Finalist: Foster Show

Finalist: Kyneton Show

Finalist: Boort Show

Finalist: Horsham Show

Finalist: Sunbury Show

Finalist: Goroke Show

Finalist: Nathalia Show

Finalist: Bendigo Show

2026 VAS Ltd Convention Competition Results

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Convention Competition 1 - Pickles

1st Place - Heather Tyrell - Yarrawonga Show

2nd Place - Joyce Sluggett - Natimuk Show

3rd Place - Kim Cash - Kyneton Show

Commended - Pat Jones - Pakenham Show

Commended - Joyce Sluggett - Natimuk Show

Commended - Laurel Truscott - Yarram Show

It was a great turnout of entries with 30 jars of pickles entered! So congratulations to all exhibitors.

 

Convention Competition 2 - Scarf

1st Place - Elizabeth Hill - Bunyip Show

2nd Place - Faye Hender - Swan Hill Show

3rd Place - Therese Ryan - Heathcote Show

Commended - Elizabeth Hill - Bunyip Show

Commended - Sheryle Jennings - Natimuk Show

Commended - Jess MacAuley - Yarram Show

It was a great turnout of entries with 31 Scarves entered! So congratulations to all exhibitors.

2026 Junior Carrot & Sultana Muffins State Final Results

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Thank you to Rocky Lamattina & Sons for their support of the State Final. Congratulations to all exhibitors on making it to the State Final level.

1st Place: Xavier Reino - Central & Upper Goulburn Group - Sunbury Show

2nd Place: Sylvia Dickins - Goulburn Valley Riverina Group - Dookie Show

3rd Place: Rebekah Tews - Gippsland Group - Sale Show

Finalist: Amity Cripps - Central & South Gippsland Group - Foster Show

Finalist: Fraser Morrissey - Midlands Group - Ballarat Show

Finalist: Tilly Reid - North Eastern Group - Yarrawonga Show

Finalist: Jaz Davison - Northern District Group - Swan Hill Show

Finalist: Remy Herry - South Western Group - Camperdown Show

Finalist: Piper Taylor - Wimmera Group - Horsham Show

 

2026 Carrot Cake State Final Results

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Thank you to Rocky Lamattina & Sons for their support of the State Final. Congratulations to all exhibitors on making it to the State Final level.

1st Place: Sue-Ellen Bunting - Gippsland Group - Sale Show

2nd Place: Lyn Fleay - Midlands Group - Beaufort Show

3rd Place: Julie Lindner - North Eastern Group - Wangaratta Show

Finalist: Nicole Symmons - Central & South Gippsland Group - Foster Show

Finalist: Ian Kohlman - Central & Upper Goulburn Group - Kyneton Show

Finalist: Mandy Dingwall - Goulburn Valley Riverina Group - Rochester Show

Finalist: Tony Breukers - Northern District Group - Swan Hill Show

Finalist: Alice Hirst - South Western Group - Port Fairy Show

Finalist: Shirley Liersch - Wimmera Group - Warracknabeal Show

 

2026 VAS Ltd Junior Show Ambassador State Final Results

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The Junior Show Ambassador State Final was held at the VAS Ltd Convention in Wangaratta on the weekend. Each ambssador had an interview with the panel of three judges in the afternoon and then attended the Convention Dinner and was interviewed on stage with two questions each. At the end of the night the results were announced with Max Henderson-Drife being declared the winner and Eleanor Graafsma being declared the runner up. All State Finalists should be so proud of the way they represented their Groups & Societies. You are all an assest to your communities so keep up the good work! All on stage interview videos were posted on the VAS Ltd Facebook Page.

Thank you to the panel of judges Irene Grant, Tim McCurdy & Harry Lloyd. Also thank you to Gallagher Insurance Brokers for being our State Final Sponsor.

Winner: Max Henderson-Drife representing Midlands Group & Clunes Show

Runner Up: Eleanor Graafsma representing Central & South Gippsland Group & Warragul Show

State Finalist: Lucinda Smith representing Wimmera Group & Goroke Show

State Finalist: Lincoln Butler representing Northern District Group & Echuca Moama Show

State Finalist: Jessica Andrews representing Central & Upper Goulburn Group & Yea Show

State Finalist: Charlotte Brown representing North Eastern Group & Yarrawonga Show

Life Membership awarded to Edward Troutbeck

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At the Convention on the weekend VAS Ltd had the pleasure of presenting Edward Troutbeck with a Life Membership.

Here is what was read out on the night featuring his contributions to the Victorian Agricultural Shows Movement.

Edward Troutbeck has been a member of 3 Agricultural Show Societies and has been involved in the show world for over 74 years. He has been a Member of Melbourne Royal, Sunbury, Whittlesea Show Society for approximately 50 years and a Member of the Seymour Show Society.

Edward and his family started the Blencowe Guernsey Stud and has been a member of the Guernsey Society for over 70 years. Edward attended his first show as a 13-year-old which was Berwick and for many years exhibited at Melbourne Royal and country shows and still exhibits his Guernsey cattle at his local show to this day. The Troutbeck family has bred many show winners, and the family has been great supporters of the Show world, and cattle, grain & fodder have been his life.

Edward was presented with a VASA Meritorious award many years ago and has been a delegate to the livestock committee and attending many VASA/VAS State Conferences.

Edward currently sponsors the Victorian Agricultural Shows State Final of the Dairy Cattle Paraders and young judge’s competitions, and he also supports generous sponsorship towards award in the Guernsey breed and some competitions with the CWA that were previous interests of his late mother.

I attended along with many others in this room his recent 90th Birthday and Edwards’ current goal is to outlive his mother that lived to 103.

It’s with great pleasure that the VAS Ltd Board along with its members congratulate you on being awarded a Life Membership of the Victorian Agricultural Shows.

Meritorious Award to Sue & John Poole

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At the Convention on the weekend VAS Ltd had the pleasure of presenting John & Sue Poole with a Meritorious Award.

Here is what was read out on the night featuring their contributions to the Victorian Agricultural Shows Movement.

Sue Poole

Sue Joined the Kerang Show Society through the Ladies Committee in 1982, and contributed over 40 years of service, both President and Secretary of Kerang Ladies Committee for many of those years.

Sue was a Member of Kerang Show committee for many years, in addition to Ladies committee and was Secretary of Kerang Show for several years, as recent as 2021.

Sue was awarded a Life Membership of Kerang Show Society in 2012.

Sue worked in the show office for years in lead up to and during show taking entries and organising entry collation for many years, wrote all prize cards for the pavilion exhibits for many years and completed updates to the Show schedule as required over many years.

Sue has been an exhibitor of cut flowers and cooking at Kerang Show for over 50 years, and steward in Pavilion for over 40 years. A steward and judge for many years in the Kerang Show pavilion for cut flowers and cooking. Cooking Judge at Kerang and surrounding shows over many years.

Judge of tiny tots through to showgirl/rural ambassador competition throughout Northern District (Kerang, Cohuna, Boort, Swan Hill, Wakool etc) over many years and Member of the Kerang & District Agricultural Society Debutante Ball Committee for 40 years, assisting with training, organising and conduct of the event as member of the Ball committee, acted as Chaperone for many years. Sue also Cooked and worked on street stalls for the Kerang & District Agricultural Society as fundraisers for the show for years,

Sue was a delegate to Northern Group for many years and was Registration Officer for Northern Group for 2016 State Convention at Swan Hill and part of organising committee of the Northern District Regional Finals Presentation Dinner at Kerang in 2017 and a delegate or accompanying John to VAS State Conventions.

John Poole

John has been a Member of Kerang & District Ag Society for over 60 years. He was President of Kerang & District Agricultural Society numerous times. 1997-1998, 2012-2014, 2019-2022 & Vice President of Kerang & District Agricultural Society for numerous years.

John was awarded a Life Member of Kerang & District Agricultural Society in 2013. Worked tirelessly for all facets of the show including groundsman, ring and pavilion steward, Head Steward of Pavilion for many years and attended all working bees and very seldom missed only a few whilst away.

John has been a horse steward for many years at Kerang and has also stewarded and helped at the Cohuna show. John also exhibited sheep, wool and cereal exhibits for many years at the Kerang Show and assisted the Kerang & District Agricultural Society Ball committee with Debutante Balls, training, organising etc.

John was a delegate to Northern District Group for many years and was a VASA and VAS delegate for many years.

John and Sue sponsor annually one of the Show Jumping prestigious awards at Kerang Show in memory of John’s father, Jack Poole, who was heavily involved in the Kerang Show and a delegate of many years at VASA and have donated prizes for pavilion winners across many years.

Sue and John have always been there to give support in any way with much enthusiasm and great Kerang Show stalwarts.

Meritorious Award to Sharon Greenhill

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At the Convention on the weekend VAS Ltd had the pleasure of presenting Sharon Greenhill with a Meritorious Award.

Here is what was read out on the night featuring her contributions to the Victorian Agricultural Shows Movement.

Sharon started at the Balnarring Pony Club as a parent and is now a life member who returns each year to almost single-handedly run their annual Agricultural Show.

Sharon has been instrumental in running the club shows for 26 years as an open horse show firstly then initiating Balnarring PC getting a VAS Affiliation which has continued to run a very a successful VAS Affiliated show for the past 10 years. Each year her efforts allows the Pony Club to fund their coaching at the club, ensuring they have the best coaches to teach a range of riding skills.

Since the VAS affiliation she has been responsible for basically all the planning & preparation. Sharon has been instrumental in developing Balnarring Pony Club to be more than a horse show which now runs homecraft competitions with several competing at group level and have had some successful winners compete at State final level. Sharon has most times collected the items and brings them to the group final and made the trip to Melbourne Showgrounds to ensure that the competitors get their entries in the finals. Sharon assists with the Central & South Group final each year stewarding for Arts, Crafts & Cooking.

Sharon has attended the VAS conference for at least the past 10 years and been a Horse Committee delegate for Balnarring. Sharon is also a valued VAS Saddle Horse Championship committee member and assists with the planning & running of that show. She plays an instrumental part each year collecting the interstate judges from the airport and providing them transport to Bendigo and during the weekend, then returning them to the airport again. She is also a steward for the weekend and has on previous occasions been a judge. Sharon is a very highly regarded Horse Show judge and has previously judged at many Royals, National & State Championship shows. She has been a steward at the Melbourne Royal for many years as well.

Sharon was previously also a member of the Victorian Mounted Police branch and rode in the musical rides that some of you might remember back in the day at the Melbourne Show. Sharon has 2 daughters that she has travelled the countryside with them from a young age competing at various Shows and has been very successful at all levels of competition.

The VAS Board is pleased to endorse a Meritorious award to Sharon Greenhill for her outstanding contribution to Victorian Agricultural Shows.

VAS Ltd Junior Show Ambassador State Finalists

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Introducing the 2026 VAS Ltd Junior Show Ambassador State Finalists. The State Final will be held at the VAS Ltd Convention on the 20th June in Wangaratta. It is great to have six enthusiastic ambassadors all passionate about the Agicultural Shows Movement. Keep an eye on our Social Media for the results on the night.

Lucinda completed Year 12 in 2025, and she is now working at GrainCorp as well as a Farm Hand at her family farm. Her involvement in the Goroke Show started since the age of 10 when she began to be a stewardess in the pavilion and in 2023 was the assistant secretary. She is currently on the Ladies Committee & Show Committee plus manages the Vegetable section. Lucinda also offers to mentor younger stewards that are coming on board as well. She is very passionate about the Sheep industry and has exhibited at many shows with her families Marleigh White Suffolk Stud. She has also developed her judging skills and has had the opportunity to judge at a few Shows so far, which this has led to her holding Junior Judging Competitions at the Goroke Show. Lucinda earlier this year received the West Wimmera Young Citizen of the Year Award for her dedication to her community. She aims to encourage more young people to take part in their local Show and contribute to their local community. 

Max is currently in his second year of his apprenticeship as a metal fabricator working within the family-owned business and is also a farm hand on his family farm. He is currently a CFA Volunteer with the Glendaruel CFA and is currently involved with the Clunes & District Young Farmers as well. His involvement with the Clunes Show has started off with being mentored to run the Cattle Section, which he has developed his ability to collaborate with others and take leadership of this section. Throughout his secondary education at Ballarat Grammar, he was involved in the agricultural program, which he was able to gain more knowledge on the handling and judging of cattle and sheep. He found this program rewarding as he was able to mentor younger peers with the opportunity of teaching them the skills and knowledge that he had learnt in previous years. Max looks forward to these opportunities to connect and form relationships with likeminded people.  

Eleanor is currently completing Year 12 and has a strong passion for agriculture which was shaped through working on a sheep station in outback South Australia where she learnt a range of skills including developing resilience, responsibility and teamwork. She has also competed in sheep showing and she has attended agricultural camps across Queensland and Tasmania as well as Horsham and Warragul. Eleanor has attended the Rotary Defying the Drift program and after attending she was invited back as a mentor supporting younger students. This opportunity developed her passion for mentoring and youth leadership. She is currently a Swim Teacher, and she has worked in a mobile coffee van at the Warragul Show as well as kitchen hand. She has just recently started a small egg production business as well as finding the time to care for her goats. Eleanor aims to support the next generation of young people in agriculture and to keep contributing to rural communities.  

Lincoln is currently completing Year 11 while also completing Certificate II in Engineering with the aspiration of pursuing a career in Civil Engineering. He is also currently working as an assistant civil surveyor and a machine operator outside of his school commitments. His involvement in the agricultural industry has stemmed from his family’s Highland cattle stud, which now breeds and shows their animals across the State. Lincoln throughout his involvement with Shows has developed his skills in Judging Cattle, which has increased his ability to communicate his opinion and build confidence in public speaking. He is committed to giving back, which he volunteers his time through the school’s community service program in assisting younger students at the primary school. He is passionate about promoting the values of rural life and the opportunities that come from being a part of the agricultural industry.  

Jessica is currently working as a Farm Hand and has worked at the Grifforan Pastoral Company ever since she started her School Based Apprenticeship in Agriculture completing Certificate II, III & IV. Jessica has attended the Mansfield Show since the age of 2 competing in tiny tot and equestrian events along with entering the pavilion. Her Granny coordinated the Horse Section for 50 years and since she retired from the role 10 years ago Jessica noticed a decline in the section. In 2025 Jessica decided to take on the Horse Section and revamp the competition making several improvements along with gaining community support. She obtained over $6000.00 worth of sponsorship, which she offered large prizemoney including $1000.00 for the Supreme Exhibit. She has actively competed at Yea Show and other shows in the area and in 2026 was the 2026 Mansfield Shire Council Young Citizen of the Year. Jessica aims to be a voice for young people in agriculture and rural communities. 

Charlotte is currently completing Year 11 and is involved in the Wodonga West CFA as a senior firefighter, which in the 2026 Fire Season she was deployed to Walwa, which she has learnt responsibility, teamwork and communication. She has been involved in the CFA since 2021 and enjoys the ability to serve the community in her role. From a young age Charlotte has spent a great deal of time on her grandparent's farm, which has sparked her passion for Agriculture, and she is now completing Certificate II in Animal Care and Certificate II in Agriculture. She has been involved in shows in showing cattle and sheep as well as having a go at Junior Judging competitions. She attends the annual Yarrawonga show and enjoys competing in the poultry and sheep competition. Charlotte has completed work experience at multiple vets within the area, and this is a passion of hers that she will pursue into her future.