Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Shows

Ekka

Gourd almighty! Pumpkin prodigies pummel Ekka record with giant win

In a battle of supersized proportions, Toowoomba’s Downlands College smashed the longstanding Ekka record by over 100 kilograms to take out top honours at the Royal Queensland Show’s iconic Giant Pumpkin Competition at the Brisbane Showgrounds on Saturday. The secondary school students also set a Queensland record with its ginormous 368.5-kilogram entry which beat the Ekka record for heaviest pumpkin of 261.5kg set back in 2015.

VASA

Forecast not enough to put off determined showies at VASA

“Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail shall keep the postmen from their appointed rounds.” According to Wikipedia, the original saying was spoken about 2500 years ago by the Greek historian Herodotus but it could have been applied to the hardy showies who competed on the second day of the Victorian Agricultural Shows Annual Championships at Bendigo.

Heavy Horses

Show a spectacle of flying feathers and jingling harness

The Clydesdale and Heavy Horse Show held at Werribee Park each year is an absolute spectacle. People have a deep love for the past and the great horse that made Australia, so to see them on display as they parade on the green grass is something really special.

Allora welcomes Heavy Horse Festival

Step back in time to a world of yesteryear when draught horses ploughed the fields and pulled the wagons. This weekend the Allora Showgrounds comes alive with the third annual Darling Downs Heavy Horse Festival – a celebration of our agricultural history and the pioneers who built this great nation.

Coming up

See the Events Calendar for more

Allora

Our show attracts from near and far

The Allora Show Society is happy with the success of the 2024 Show, which produced strong numbers in many sections. President Shirley Cornhill said the show was well supported from far and wide.

Allora

Milton Park takes home the prize

For many years the Blue Cow Hotel at Allora has sponsored the Supreme Ewe and Ram of the Allora Show. This year the award went to Milton Park Suffolk and White Suffolk Stud from Hendon.

It’s showtime in Allora

A long-standing family tradition is further enhanced at this year’s Allora Show. The Frank Phelan Memorial Trot sponsored by long established Show supporters Neil and Robyn Phelan will have a slight change in format ... Neil did not inherit the love of horses and he and Robyn are now stewards in the Cattle Section.

Henty

Students take out most successful cattle award at Henty

Represented by 11 students and eight head of YAHS school cattle, as well as five Angledoon animals, Yanco Agricultural High School took out the most successful cattle exhibitor at the recent Henty Show. They competed in the junior judging where they all participated in judging steers.

Show Horse

Spring classic welcomes Shetlands to show hacks

The Show Horse Council’s Spring Classic at Werribee Park is one of the last big shows for the year in Victoria before the action heads to Sydney for the EA Nationals. Victorian SHC chairman Andrew James said he was very happy with the numbers that turned out over the weekend.

Royals

Double show success for Naracoorte High

Kristin Murdock. Naracoorte High School’s Agricultural Studies students and staff had a busy show season competing at both the Royal Adelaide Show and Royal Melbourne Show in September ... This year the school entered six steers and two pens of three wethers in the Royal Adelaide Show, with over 20 students attending.

Hobart

Hobart Royal gets on with the show despite redevelopment

The Royal Hobart Show horse program had a bit of a shake-up this year due to continuing redevelopment works at the showgrounds. Classes were held at the Tasmanian Equestrian Centre at Lauderdale instead of the Glenorchy site, which has been the home of the royal show since 1904 except for the past two years while work progresses on a new arena and pavilions.

Bendigo

It’s showtime in Bendigo for the first time in four years

The Bendigo Agricultural Show is back. The two-day event was held for the first time in four years on Friday and Saturday after several cancellations due to Covid and then last year, the grounds being used to house evacuees from floods.

Geelong

Victoria’s regional Royal covers all bases with new program

Geelong is the biggest regional agricultural show in Victoria and it’s a royal to boot. This year saw a new horse committee bring new ideas and energy to the event ... The program catered for every possible competitor ... There were also, importantly, district classes ... classes for Australian Stock Horses ... the Standardbred section ...

The Ekka

Downlands plans another whopper

The Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) celebrated the pumpkin on Halloween by opening entries for its iconic Giant Pumpkin Competition ... Veggie patch kings and queens and 2023 Champion Heaviest Pumpkin of Show title winner, Downlands College are planning a return in 2024 and they’ll be hoping to recreate their history-making win.

Shearing

Nationals held at Jamestown

Sports Shear Australia Nationals 2023 was held on the 21st and 22nd October at Jamestown SA ... The woolhandling board saw Kirsty Bone 2nd in the open and Sigourney Williams 2nd in the novice.

Koondrook Barham

Back with a bang!

The air was filled with excitement on Friday night as the Koondrook Barham Show celebrated its 60th show ... The night air was abuzz as the volunteers’ efforts of attracting a wide variety of attractions fired up the crowd in perfect weather.

Nhill

137th Annual Nhill Show

The 137th Annual Nhill Show is now done for another 12 months and boy, what a show it was ... The food van did a great trade for the day and side show alley had a constant buzz.

Charlton

Accolades as Charlton Show returns – a day of food, fun and friendships

Jenny Pollard. Finally! Following three years of “No Show” the Charlton A & P Society could at last breathe a sigh of relief as the 140th Show returned to the annual calendar and - for the first time – was held in the new Charlton Park Complex ... As just one of the 580 agricultural shows which take place across Australia, Charlton has fought doggedly to retain its big day.

Maldon & Baringhup

Annual show success

Sheafs tossed, utes pushed, gumboots thrown, horses paraded, Clydesdales ‘clopped’, sheep shorn, ribbons worn, bands delighted, puppets thrilled, dogs jumped, flowers impressed, quilts amazed, artwork admired, photos discussed, bars attended, food tempted, smiles beamed, children played, laughter echoed, winners cheered… yes, the 159th Maldon and Baringhup Annual Spring Show was a crowd-pleasing success last Sunday.

Perth Royal

Exhibitors out in force as Perth Royal returns to full program

The Perth Royal Show saw a return to a full program this year after COVID caused a massive reduction in classes offered in 2022. Entries across the hack section were of excellent quality, reflecting a return to business as usual after the disruption caused by the pandemic.

Donald

A cracking good show – a weekend for all the family

Quill. Who said Friday the 13th is supposed to be unlucky? It certainly wasn’t for Donald’s Annual P & A Show, which opened its gates on Friday for two days of fun for the whole family ... Of particular interest, and new to the Donald Show was Stewart Bryant’s literally cracking performance.

Shearing

Kaniva Show Quickshears

At 3 o’clock the annual speed shear at the Kaniva Show kicked off with 50 entries between intermediate and open ... Some very fast times, under 40 seconds to gain a place in the 6-person final for intermediate and under 30 for the open section with a few legendary shearers making their way to the truck to shear one young merino lamb.

Young judges

Top young alpaca judges to rank the herd at national finals

Australia's most promising young alpaca judges have been announced by Agricultural Shows Australia as eligible to compete in the national finals of the prestigious annual competition to be judged in October ... Grace Nesbitt, 18, from Illawong will be representing New South Wales in the alpaca young judges competition. 

Corryong

Corryong puts on a great show

The 114th Corryong Show at the Corryong Recreation Reserve on Saturday has been hailed a great success, particularly in the face of similar events across the country going into recess. The twilight event again proved popular with healthy numbers going through the gate.

Victoria

Buloke Times editorial: No time like show time

Switch on the television, or radio, and the news headlines are bound to be dominated by worldwide death and destruction, and hatred among neighbouring countries, – or, closer to home, by political opponents. We live in troublesome times. Thankfully, it’s not all bad news – particularly in our part of Victoria, where October is widely known as Show Month ... In so many ways, ours is still the lucky country.

Maldon & Baringhup

All set for the Show!

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 ... 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.

Kyogle

Wood you, could you, split and chop like these fellers?

Six men stand on chunky logs; axes poised in the air. It is the woodchop final at the Kyogle Show on Saturday, October 7 ... The winner is James Livingstone from Fairy Hill. James puts his win down to the “exceptionally good wood” which was flooded gum.

Kaniva

Kaniva Show

The 2023 Kaniva Show is almost here and it's one not to be missed! Get organised for a jam-packed full day of fun and entertainment. Be at the Show early with the first ATPA modified tractor pull at 11am and the very popular dog event judging at 11.30.

Naracoorte

Jampacked show

Are you ready for the 159th Naracoorte Show? As gates open on October 14 at the Showgrounds, organisers are promising a jampacked event with many new things to look forward to ... Naracoorte Community News caught up with Show publicity officer Catherine Miller, and here’s all you need to know about the show.

Melbourne Royal

That’s a wrap for Melbourne Royal after 10 days of excellent judging

The Royal Melbourne show has drawn to close after 10 days of competition distinguished by some excellent judging across the Horses in Action program. Without exception, the judges were knowledgeable and fair and placings were well deserved.

Back to back wins for Maddy

19-year-old Maddy Telford from Barham has taken out the top gong of Supreme Exhibit with her 14-month-old red Angus bull at this year’s Melbourne Royal Show ... The winning bull is the grandson of the cow that Maddy had success with last year.  

Youth Ambassador

Kaniva’s Louise Hobbs to represent Victoria

Kaniva A&P Society’s Louise Hobbs, representing the Wimmera Agricultural Society, has won the 2023 Victorian Agricultural Society’s Rural Youth Ambassador Award ... The award is given to a 20-30-year old with outstanding participation in their local community and show, acting as an ambassador for the agricultural shows movement.

Young judges

Cut above cattle judges meat again for national championships

Australia's most promising young beef cattle judges have been announced by Agricultural Shows Australia as eligible to compete in the national finals of the prestigious annual competition to be judged next month ... Hayden Hanson, 19, from Gin Gin will be representing Queensland in the beef cattle young judges competition.

Henty

Book traces growth from grass roots to iconic event

A new book launched by the Henty Machinery Field Days traces six decades of history from its early days to a grass roots event driven by farmers to its position as a global agricultural phenomenon. The 84-page coffee table style book was written by Henty Machinery Days Media Manager Kim Woods and launched at the official opening of the 60th anniversary event...

Melbourne Royal

Melbourne Royal’s start more whimper than bang these days

Call me old fashioned, but I miss the old days when breed day opened Royal Melbourne show, with eight rings around the big arena. The giant Clydesdales were the pride of the show and led every parade, with the supreme champion at the front ... This year, just 35 of Australia’s favourite heavy horses were on show when once there would have been hundreds.

Naracoorte

Art Gallery supports Naracoorte Show

Adair Dunsford. With Spring in the air, the Naracoorte Art Gallery is supporting the local show this year with a targeted floral art workshop. Two designs from the Show catalogue will feature in an afternoon session with former florist, Lisa Caon on Saturday October 7.

Orchids

Blooming beautiful

This past weekend, the Kerang Memorial Hall hosted the annual show of the Mid-Murray Orchid Club. The event was a visual and olfactory delight with stunning colours and fragrances that could rival any high-end perfume. 

Wentworth

Wentworth’s huge program has something for everyone

Wentworth Agricultural Show has a long and decorated history. The town, located in the far south west of NSW at the junction of the Murray and Darling rivers, has run its show since 1885 with a charter “to promote the breed and quality of stock”.

Young judges

Australia’s top young Merino judges vye for national title

Australia's most promising judges of Merino sheep have been announced by Agricultural Shows Australia as eligible to compete in the national finals of the prestigious annual competition to be judged next month. The competition brings together the best young judges and paraders aged from 15 to 25 in each state to compete at the national finals.

Young paraders

Cream of the crop dairy paraders rise to attention at national finals

Australia's most promising paraders of dairy cattle have been announced by Agricultural Shows Australia as eligible to compete in the national finals ... William Dudfield, 20, from Somerset will be representing Tasmania in the dairy cattle young paraders. “I’ve been showing since I was three years old and I’ve been a part of the paraders since I was nine."

Dogs

Top Dog

Zoli Myers is no backyard dog. The newly awarded Australian Champion might be partial to a romp in the garden and fetching sticks, but on weekends, he transforms into a show dog. Zoli, a Welsh Springer Spaniel, is now an Australian Champion...

Corryong

Cracker of a show

Local rural and agricultural shows are making a comeback and the Corryong Show is no exception. "Our sponsorship and community engagement has been huge leading into our show on October 7th," said secretary, Emma Klippel.

The Ekka

Hayward & Smith scoop the pool

It was a Grand Champion double in the Angus ring for K5X Angus at the 2023 EKKA, with the Allora based stud taking out both Grand Champion Angus Bull and Grand Champion Angus Female. From a field of 64 Angus animals K5X Satellite S166 was awarded Senior and Grand Champion Bull and K5X Design S7 won Senior and Grand Champion Female.

Excelling at the Ekka

The accolades keep on coming for Maclean High School’s champion Cattle Show Team who took home a swag of awards at the 2023 Ekka at Brisbane Showgrounds this month … “We had 17 students and 15 cattle we took to the Ekka”: Maclean High School Cattle Show Team head teacher Chris Kirkland.

Supreme grand champion

Shaunn Jannusch of Westbrook was awarded Supreme Grand Champion Fowl of the 2023 Royal Brisbane Exhibition Show, out of 1417 entries. He was awarded Grand Champion Waterfowl, Champion Heavy Waterfowl and Champion Pekin with his Pekin Duck.

First major show win for NIOA Texas

NIOA Texas T08 (AI) (P) won his class (Senior Bull - 22-24 months) at the Brisbane Ekka, capturing the judge’s attention with his "great underline", "great tropical coat" and "true to breed character".

Dowerin

Methodist Ladies’ College attends Dowerin Machinery Field Days

The new MLC Principal, Rebecca Clarke, together with key staff members, will be attending the Dowerin Machinery Field Days. It is the school's first visit in recent years, but the Field Days are familiar territory for boarders, Addison Kellerberrin and Jodie Mukinbudin. “It’s a really good event that gets the whole Wheatbelt community together,” says Jodie.

Mallee

Mallee Machinery Field Days

For four decades, the Speed Lions Club has been responsible for bringing the Mallee’s largest agricultural event to fruition each year. It’s no mean feat for the dedicated group of 26 volunteers, who work tirelessly behind the scenes to organise the two-day event, showcasing the latest in agricultural machinery and technology.

Machinery Field Days Wednesday and Thursday

The Mallee’s signature agricultural event, the Mallee Machinery Field Days, is set to return to Speed on Wednesday, August 2, and Thursday, August 3.  This year marks the 43rd annual event, which aims to showcase the latest technology and advances within the agricultural industry.

Youth

Learning opportunities the top priority at development event

The Show Horse Council of Australasia’s NSW/ACT Youth Development and Championship Showcase was a brilliant idea, executed perfectly. Held at the Hawkesbury Showgrounds and designed be a youth development program as well as a qualifying event for the Grand National Show, it offered something for every young rider.

Melbourne Royal

Murray prepares limousins to feature

The Melbourne Royal Show might still be some time off, but for cattle exhibitors, preparations are already underway ... This year, Limousins are the feature breed and Murray will be showcasing the breed to the judges and the public.

NT

Northern Territory show season in full dry season swing

When the show scene goes into hibernation over winter in the southern states, the Northern Territory springs into action. The NT has an active show horse community and several top-class shows are run during the dry season, including the Darwin Show Horse Club's State Show Horse and Riding Championships that has just been held at the Darwin Showgrounds.

Copper Coast

Push to create an ag-tractive local show experience

Tash Westbrook is passionate about creating more agricultural experiences at the 2023 Copper Coast Show in Kadina on Saturday and Sunday, August 19-20. Since joining the show committee in 2019, Tash has reintroduced an ag learning centre and led animal competition to the show ... Tash, also the show’s junior vice-president, said the show’s importance stretches across the community.

NT

A great show of unity

Today is a celebration of what is great about living in Tennant Creek - the golden heart that never stops beating. When news broke the annual Tennant Creek Show wouldn’t go ahead, five weeks out from the big day, Mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin came to the rescue along with Chief Minister Natasha Fyles.

Crowd big, trade a little slow: Alice show

Preliminary crowd figures for the Alice Springs Show were 19,000 over the two days ... Brendan Fogarty, a trade exhibitor over several years, says it was quieter than usually but better than last year ... “A few enquiries, a few sales, not a bad weekend,” says Mr Fogarty. “There’s always someone to have a talk to.”

Orchids

In full bloom

A celebration took place over the weekend as the enthusiastic gardener enjoyed viewing a beautiful exhibit of orchids from around the world in Kerang for the 22nd Victorian Country Orchid Clubs Challenge. Ten displays with an average of 50 plants made their way to the Kerang Basketball Stadium, supported by the sharing of gardening knowledge and commercial stalls. 

Maleny

Stars of the show: Film honours century-old event

From the excitement of the woodchop to prized cattle and champion sponge cakes or marmalades that used secret family recipes, it was an event that survived and thrived. Now, one of Queensland’s proudest regional traditions – The Maleny Show – and those who made it great, will feature in a special documentary film.

Bellingen

Bumper year at the Bellingen Show

Bellingen Show made a triumphant return this year with a bumper event that attracted large crowds and a jam-packed program that offered something for everyone.

Youngstock

It’s that lovely time of year when the foals come out to play

Autumn is the time of year that breeders start bringing in the foals born last season and assessing the development of those from the previous year. Foal shows provide an opportunity to not only give the youngsters some ring experience, but for the humans to meet up and have a natter as well.

Sydney Royal

‘It’s a family affair’: Nan helps set up winning exhibit at Royal Show

Since she was a child,  Navanka Fletcher has helped her nan set up the district produce exhibit at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Her nan Lyn Cregan, 76, has been involved in setting up the Northern District exhibits for 30 years.

Masking tree spirits in leather wins show ribbon

A leather mask made in a studio in Kyogle has won a second place ribbon at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Artist Mario Sanchez Huertas placed second in two categories – art picture category and creative design and won two ribbons.

Sydney Royal

Brooke’s Royal way with words

Growing up on her family’s beef cattle property at Fine Flower in the Clarence Valley, Brooke Chapman has always been surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Australian bush ... Inspired by her rural upbringing, her admiration for the regional landscape, and her love of writing, the 15-year-old recently penned an exquisite piece entitled ‘Love Poem to the Bush’ which she entered in the secondary school’s section of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW A.B. Paterson Bush Poetry Award at the 2023 Sydney Royal Easter Show ...

Sydney Royal

Bull shows his class

Local beef stud, Challambi Charolais of Greg Greg, met with success after attending the Sydney Royal Easter Show to compete in the Charolais judging. They entered Challambi Sargent (pictured), a 19-month only bull weighing 752kgs, which went on to win his class and reserve Junior Champion.

Stock horses put on a royal performance at Sydney

With big numbers in stud classes at this year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show, spectators had plenty to look at and could admire some of Australia’s finest livestock ... Champion stock horse hack Brandwood Orlando ridden by Cole Moxey with reserve champion Tahnee Sullivan’s Wundurra Impact and judge Sam Davidge ... The black stallion was not only Champion Stock Horse stallion but added the Champion Working ASH, Champion ASH Hack and the Most Versatile ASH Exhibit awards to his show collection.

Rochester

Local win supports town recovery

Professional dog breeder Kay Humphry has started 2023 on a high. Kay headed to Rochester with her precious cargo of three Golden Retrievers, Bonnie, Adel and Regina, to the first Rochester Show in three years – held off from two years of Covid-19 and the recent flood event.

Allora

Calm and beautiful heavy horses

Last weekend the weather was hot but perfect for the tough breed of Heavy Horses at the Allora Showground. This being the second year of running the Darling Downs Heavy Horse Festival over two full days. Organisers were thrilled with the crowd of around 5,000 through the gates with Saturday being a huge day.

Turnout

Polish up your turnout with advice from boot master

In an event like the famous Garryowen, where every tiny detail is important – from the quality and cut of the coat and breeches, to the stock, gloves and even the position of the spurs – the leather top boots need to be immaculate. And it’s not an easy task. Well known show horse competitor and judge Claire Uren has always been meticulous in the appearance of her horses and in correct turnout wear, including boots.

Welsh

Imported stallion dominates at All Welsh Show

The supreme led Welsh exhibit overall for the second year in a row at the NSW All Welsh Show was the Welsh Mountain Pony stallion Waxwing Passport ... Passport also completed the hat trick by winning supreme ridden Welsh exhibit of the show, following on from the same win at both the Victorian and South Australian All Welsh shows this season.

Hall of Fame

Barastoc has been setting the pace for more than 50 years

I was honoured to get a Hall of Fame Award from the Barastoc Horse of the Year Show committee and I think a pocket history of the show is needed. What other event has had the same naming rights sponsor for 54 years making the name so established it can’t be separated from the title?

Allora

Supreme Stud Beef at Show

NIOA Santa Gertrudis Stud at Talgai took home the big prize with Supreme Stud Beef Exhibit of the Allora Show. Leading the bull was Sam Falls from Warwick. Blue Ribbons were also awarded to NIOA for Supreme Bull and Supreme Female.

Bundarra

Bonza days had at Bundarra Show and Demolition Derby!

The 2023 Bundarra Show with Ute Muster, She'll Be Right Demolition Derby and Arena Sorting was a great success!

Darkan

Act Belong Commit Darkan Sheepfest – A show that is good for a town

Act Belong Commit Darkan Sheepfest is now more than a sheep and wool show. The event is a testament to the cultural and economic value that a show can provide to a community and town.

Dorrigo

Dorrigo Show 2022: It may be over but they’re still celebrating!

Dorrigo’s first show in three years might be over but organisers and officials are still celebrating its quality, success and popularity. Society President, Sally Duckett summed it up this way: “After three tough years of “No Show” forced upon us by Covid 19, 2022 was a huge success; perhaps one of the best ever.”

Gidgegannup

Wilcannia News, March 2024

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