Show season has kicked off in Melbourne and is soon to be here in East Gippsland.
Some Gippslanders are celebrating already, as their exhibits made it to the Royal Melbourne Show and Victorian Agricultural Show (VAS) Convention for judging.
One local was most thrilled to have won the Victorian Carrot Cake Competition at the recent state finals.
Grace Fitzgerald entered the VAS Carrot Cake Competition at the 2023 Omeo Show and after winning there, she baked another cake for group judging then baked again for state judging in 2024, which she won.
There is no doubting Grace’s abilities now.
“I am proud to have received this award,” Mrs Fitzgerald said.
“I didn’t expect it at all. I do a lot of cooking for our shearers and now they will probably expect a carrot cake for smoko.
“I enjoy being part of agricultural shows as they provide a place for people to share their skills and experiences.”
Sixty exhibitors from the 2023 Omeo, Orbost, Bairnsdale, Yarram, Sale and Maffra shows competed against each other in their classes at the group level back in May 2024. Of these, 10 made it through to state level judging at the VAS convention or the Royal Melbourne Show. This is no mean feat considering that they’ve competed against dozens at the local level too.
The junior carrot and date muffins state finalist Luke Bowd, placed second. Luke is a regular entrant at the Omeo Show and like Grace, had to bake his muffins over and over again.
Junior boiled fruit cake state finalist Noah Turnley also placed second at state level. Noah entered the VAS junior boiled fruit cake at the Bairnsdale Show in 2023.
Placing second in the VAS crochet competition was Sharna Lyndon who entered the 2023 Sale Show.
A highly commended was presented to Pamela Andrews who entered the Bairnsdale Show VAS Rich Fruit Cake.
Other East Gippslanders who made it to the Royal Melbourne Show include: Lorinda Whittington from the Omeo Show for her VAS sewing; Demi King from the Omeo Show presented a photo in the VAS junior photography; Cindy Robinson from the Orbost Show for VAS senior photography; Joanne Barnden from the Yarram Agricultural Show for her VAS cross stitch; Helen Jewell from the Maffra Agricultural Show for her VAS embroidery exhibit.
Dozens of others who competed in VAS livestock and agricultural classes are not mentioned here.
Gippsland Agricultural Shows start soon with:
– Maffra Show on October 25-27
– Sale Show on November 1-3
– Bairnsdale Show on November 9
– Omeo & District Show on November 15-17
– Yarram Show on November 23-24
– Orbost Show on March 10, 2025
