Not to be missed this Sunday (15 October) is the Maldon & Baringhup Agricultural Show, which runs from 9am to 4pm (with free entertainment for the children starting at 10am) at the Maldon racecourse. It’s a wonderful day out for all to enjoy, with plenty of fun for the children as well as horse events, sheep and wool displays and plenty on show at the pavilion.
The [Tarrangower] Times caught up with Kristina Forbes last weekend, who was in the process of finalising arrangements for entries into six (that’s right, six!) categories of the floral art section of the Show. Kristina already has quite a collection of ribbons from past entries, and she’s hopeful of further success–but as she pointed out, there’s always stiff competition.
Kristina’s interest in floral art began about 10 years ago when she inherited her late mother’s orchids and she joined the Orchid Society Club to find out more about how to care for them. “The Club was holding a floral art exhibition,” she said. “I entered the novice section and won.”
With obvious talent and plenty of enthusiasm, Kristina is pretty much self-taught when it comes to floral art. “I completed a basic floristry course, which doesn’t actually teach you much about floral art,” Kristina said. “Along the way, I’ve picked up tips from books, Youtube and Pinterest. And when you’re competing against others you also learn a lot.”
This week has been a busy one for Kristina. She is Secretary of the Maldon Garden Floral Art & Craft Club, whose members help with set-up at the pavilion in the lead-up to the Show. She is also on the Maldon & Baringhup Agricultural Show Committee. “Prior to this week, I’ve been to Maldon and Newstead Primary Schools to give a talk to the children to encourage them to enter the Show and also approached Maldon businesses who have been very generous in their support,” she said.
Added to all that: this week Kristina put in her usual day of volunteering at the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter, and has been assisting her husband who is helping to organise the Emergency Expo in Castlemaine this weekend.
Plus: Kristina has had to find the time to create six floral art entries for the Show! “On Friday, I’ll start work on my entries, and on Saturday I’ll be loading them up in my car and driving very carefully and slowly to the Maldon racecourse,” she said.
Does Kristina have any advice for those interested in floral art? “Give it a go,” she said. “You have the opportunity to be creative in so many different ways. I love it. And I encourage you to go to the Show. It’s a fun day for everyone, and it really does keep country traditions alive. The pavilion has everything, from cut flowers to knitting, jams to photography, cakes to paintings.”
Highlights of the Show this Sunday include a dog show, a mobile zoo, and music from the Martini Set and the Maldon Brass Band. For the children, there are loads of free activities, including Professor Wallace’s Puppet Show, laser tag, face painting, games and races. For the big kids, you can’t go pass the sheaf toss and the ute push!
This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 13 October 2023.
