The beauty of the Omeo district and the generosity of the region’s woolgrowers will be on display at the local agricultural show tomorrow.
The 133rd Omeo Show features the fourth consecutive year of the charity wool bale, where woolgrowers who enter fleeces for judging at the show donate them to aid the Latrobe Valley Base Helimed1 Auxiliary.
Omeo Show secretary, Leigh Fulton, said the fleeces were then baled together and sent to the wool sales in Melbourne with generous support from Elders.
“The wool buyers know they are for charity and pay very generous prices for them,” Mr Fulton said.
The concept has so far raised an impressive $36,000.
Authentic country activities like whipcracking, wood chopping and yard dog trials will have competitors vying for titles, as well as the Great Alpine Shears competition – the largest in the state outside Bendigo’s massive event.
Today is planned as a night out for local farmers dealing with hard seasonal conditions, with junior and local wool-handling competitions and the veteran shearing events, as well as a barbecue and bar.
The annual photography competition has also slightly changed to help competitors get their works to Omeo.
“The Bairnsdale Advertiser is a drop-off point where people can leave their entries – or even enter online on Yeates Photos website. Entries at Yeates closed yesterday, but people can still enter their works in person at the pavilion this afternoon from 2-5pm.”
And in a quite modern take, the horse entries are available online, where people can enter and pay for their events, creating an easier process for organisers minus the swamp of paper warfare.
“It’s an administrative thing but we are one of the first shows to go fully online for horse entries,” Mr Fulton said.
The youngsters aren’t forgotten either with plenty of showbags and entertainment as well as a very exciting treasure hunt.
It is also possible there will be a special surprise flying overhead on Saturday, however organisers don’t want to say too much.
