Nadene Jericho, Coonalpyn & District A & H Society Inc

Perfect weather on October 19th drew a crowd of almost 700 people to Coonalpyn for the 79th Show. Farmers were appreciative of the 25mm or so of rain received during the week, and the committee were thrilled to see the sun shining on Saturday. Coonalpyn always welcomes patrons from far and wide, and tripled its population for the day once again! We were overwhelmed by the number of pavilion entries and received many positive comments and compliments on the quality of entries and how each section was presented.

Our official guest, Michael Scott, the SA Country Shows President who opened the show, is a long-term supporter of Coonalpyn and our show and once again was very impressed by what we offered to the crowd on the day. Three Coorong Councillors took part in the politician’s challenge, which was won by Coorong Council Mayor Paul Simmons.

Circus Elements provided roving entertainment and a circus workshop where children had lots of fun trying out hoops, juggling and other circus elements. The popular Discovery Trail sold out this year and many children were seen sporting fun face painting. Stockman’s Challenge events took place throughout the day with over 40 horses and riders providing great horsemanship displays for onlookers and as always, yummy food was available from our food, coffee and gelato vendors. The Interactive pavilion was a great place to stop and shop for individualised items, Christmas gifts and a Bowen massage.

The Junior Ambassador Quest was judged this year by Elsie Johnson, 2024 SA Young Rural Ambassador, Aidan Marshall, Next Gen and Helen Marshall. Congratulations to the 19 young people who entered the quest and to the winners: Little Ambassador Samuel Obst, and runner-up Caitlin Mueller. Mini Ambassador Renae Mueller; R/Up Hazel Pietzsch. Intermediate Ambassador Charlie Woidt; R/Up Lydia Leske. Teen Ambassador Nellie Kowald; R/Up Thomas Whittle. Many of these entrants had exhibits in the main pavilion and all are an important and integral part of our Show. We thank them and their parents for their valued support.

In the main pavilion, which was colourful and bright, exhibitors brought over 1593 entries to display for judging. An extra 115 entries in the Horses, Wool & Grain provided even more to see. Best presented Indoor Section was won by Section O: Cut Flowers, with a brilliant display of almost 200 entries.

Results: Exhibitor with Most Entries in Main Pavilion, was Penny McArdle with 57 entries Exhibitor gaining most points in Main Pavilion, was Carolyn Johnson with 165 points. Most Points in sections L/L-1/M/N/N-1 donated by Coonalpyn WAB: Marianne Cuneen with 38 points. Winner of the $50 Lucky Exhibitor was Charlie Woidt.

The Award for Most Outstanding Agri-Business Display was won by Emmetts (SA) Pty Ltd of Murray Bridge, who also had a great children’s ride-on racetrack as part of their exhibit. Runner-up was Platinum Ag Services a major sponsor of the show. Most Outstanding Small Business Display was won by Artisan’s Son, a new trader this year; with the Runner up Tintinara Linos Club with their yummy donut and Chip caravan. Special mention from judge, SA Shows President Michael Scott, for the wonderful display put on by Coorong District Council. This year’s trade display was bigger and more varied with lots to see and many traders took part in the Show Trail and gave out goodies to trail participants, with all of the 100 bags being sold out.

The Show Committee acknowledge and thank our sponsors, traders, exhibitors, volunteers and visitors. Without them Coonalpyn Show would not be the success it is.

Section results were as follows:

G: GRAIN & FODDER – Champion Entry: John Edmonds-Wilson with Green Lentils; Exhibitor with Most Points Heinrich Family with 21 points, Biggest Weed: Craig Lutze

H: WOOL –Most Points: Greg Tynan with 27 points. Champion Fleece: Kenneth Densley

I: HOME PRODUCE – Aggregate Trophy Classes 1-14: Nadene Jericho; Classes 15-27: Carolyn Johnson, Classes 28-44: Carolyn Johnson. Most Points in Junior Home Produce: Esther Neumann with 12 points.

J & J/1: COOKERY –Best Cut Cake: Melinda Wilkinson with her Zebra Cake. Most Points in Section J: Melinda Wilkinson, Most Exhibits in Section J: Melinda Wilkinson; Best Exhibit in J-1: Melinda Wilkinson; Most Points in Section J-1: Melinda Wilkinson, Most Exhibits in Section J-1: Carolyn Johnson. Most Points in Section J & J-1: M Wilkinson; Most Exhibits in Section J & J/1 M Wilkinson. Laucke Scone Competition winner: Sam Edwards, out of 6 entries. Native Food Competition Winner: Melinda Wilkinson.

K: VEGETABLES –Collection of Vegetables: Phil Miegel; Champion Exhibit: Clive Wundersitz; Most Points in Section Phil Miegel and Clive Wundersitz tied on 45 points. Special prize for Radishes: Nadene Jericho

L: SEWING & NEEDLEWORK – Most Points in Classes 1-9: Nadene Jericho, Classes 10-14 Michelle Raper, Classes 15-18: Faye Klitscher, Most Points in Section: Michelle Raper, Most Outstanding Exhibit: Karen Smart

L/1: PATCHWORK & APPLIQUE – Most Points in Section: Anne-maree Zanker, Most Outstanding: Debbie Vanderzon. Viewer’s Choice: Debbie Vanderzon. Christmas Article: Michelle Raper

M: KNITTING & CROCHET- Most Points in Section: Kathleen Bentley with 49 points, Champion Garment: Debra Holmes. Most Points in Junior Knitting: Hannah Harkness.

N: CRAFTS – Most Outstanding Exhibit: Christine Mitchell, Most Points in Section: Marianne Cuneen. Class 20: 5 items: 1st Michelle Raper, 2nd Catherine Gibbons.

N/1: ART – Prestigious Hurley Award for Best Picture: Penny McArdle; Open Champion Entry: Lynda Olsen; Most Points Open: Penny McArdle
Junior: Most Outstanding Exhibit: 4-5 Years: Tom Smith; 6-8 years: Ken Densley; 9-11 years: Amber Robertson; 12-16 years: Tahlia Kleinig

O: CUT FLOWERS–Champion Rose of Show: Catherine Gibbons, Champion Aust Native: Leanne Schilling, Champion Cut of Show: Emily Mueller, Most Successful Exhibitor of Section: Cheryl Miegel.

O/1: FLORAL ART– Champion Floral Art: Anna Stock; Champion Pedestal: Kath Callery; Posy in a Jar: Penny McArdle; Most Points: Penny McArdle.

O/2: POT PLANTS– Champion Pot Plant: Sarah Coudrey, Most Points: Marianne Cuneen.

P: PHOTOGRAPHY- Most Points Open Section: Rachel Neumann; Most Points Yrs 7-11: Kallan Woidt

Q: Metalwork – Most Outstanding Open: Xavier Purcell, Most Outstanding Junior: Asher Neumann

R/1: JUNIOR CRAFT– Most Points Kindy/Rec: Noah Lienert, Most Outstanding: Caitlin Mueller. Most Points Yrs 1-3: Renae Mueller, Most Outstanding: Georgia Lienert. Most Points Yrs 4-6: Amber Robertson, Most Outstanding & Most Points Amber R. Most Points Yrs 7-11: Evelyn Leske, Most Outstanding: Zoii Oliver.

R/2: JUNIOR COOKERY– Most Points Kindy/Rec: Caitlin Mueller; Yrs 1-3: Samuel Obst; Yrs 4-6: Isabella Voigt, Yrs 7-11: Esther Neumann.

R/3: JUNIOR LEGO – Best Exhibit Kindy/Rec – Yrs Rec-1: Samuel Obst. Best Exhibit Yrs 2-4: Georgis Lienert. Best Exhibit Yrs 5-6: Charlie Woidt. Yrs 7-11: Elias Martin. S: Open Lego Best Exhibit: Brandon Schmerl.