What a show.
This year’s 143rd annual Bairnsdale Show, organised by the Bairnsdale and District Agricultural Show Society went off without a hitch last Saturday at Bairnsdale Racing Club, much to the relief of first-time president, Tegan Roberts.
“Everything ran really smoothly, I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day,” Tegan said.
“What we had on offer was brilliant – the weather was perfect, we had so many local displays as well as not local.
“There was so much joy on the kids’ faces.”
This year’s show also saw a significant increase in numbers passing through the gates, with more than 22,000 attendees this year compared to last year’s number of 13,000, which Tegan said was “just amazing”, and was thankful to those who took the time to help out on the busy day.
“To those volunteers that helped on the day, a massive thank you,” she said.
“Without their help, we wouldn’t have had a show this year.”
There was something for everyone, with live music on the stage provided by Entertainment Gippsland, jumping castles and petting zoos through to whip-cracking demonstrations, pie-eating competitions and car displays, as well as the traditional woodchopping, yard dog trials and horse events.
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This year’s Wearable Recycled Art parade was also a hit, with some outstanding creations on display.
Even the descriptions on their entry forms were in such detail that Julie Webb, the Wearable Recycled Art coordinator couldn’t wait to meet and see these amazing creations.
“It was an extremely difficult event to judge as they were all looking so good, so much work and tiny details had gone into each garment,” Julie said.
“The theme this year was ‘The Great Outdoors’ and the kids represented that quite easily, as most enjoy being outdoors and appreciate the environment can be looked after if we learn to re-use, up-cycle and recycle.”
This is an annual event which is promoted through all primary schools and this year was opened up to years 7-10 and also adults.
“It’s a good thing that the kids are encouraged and enjoy these activities, you can certainly tell when you meet them how proud and energetic they are about the event, their creations and also by being at the show,” Julie said.
There were concerns this year’s show wouldn’t be able to go ahead, due to factors including a shortage of volunteers, reduced funding and the overall decline of agricultural shows across the country.
Because of these factors, the focus has quickly turned to next year’s show, with an annual general meeting expected to be held in February.
“We need more people to turn up to these meetings, otherwise this year’s show will be the last,” Tegan said.
