WITH springtime well and truly here, the thoughts of many throughout the Murrindindi and Mansfield Shires turn to their local Agricultural Shows.
A day to celebrate and champion all things agriculture, horticulture and production, the shows have been part of the local calendar for well over 130 years.
This year, the Alexandra Pastoral and Agricultural Association is celebrating 150 continuous years of committees and 139 years of events.
In the past, livestock and families would arrive at the show grounds in all their finery – the day was an opportunity to show off cattle, eggs, and baking skills and see what everyone else was doing with their breed stock.
While of late, the emphasis of shows has downgraded due to greater access to information, speedier communication and transport, the importance of promoting agriculture and horticulture in the towns has not.
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With more and more agricultural land being taken for residential dwellings, the importance of highlighting agriculture and associated industries has never been higher.
Whether it’s the petting zoo and giving young people a chance to experience animals firsthand, visiting the poultry pavilion and talking with experts about what breed of hen is best for your backyard, checking out the latest tractors and fuel delivery systems, or getting involved with the first-ever hobby horse events, there is something for everyone.
This year, the committee, with the generous support of their sponsors, is excited to be showcasing roving dinosaurs, jumping castles, all-day music, gold panning (thanks to the Alexandra and Eildon Lapidary Club), cattle display, shearing demonstration, and a guess-the-weight competition.
There will also be donkeys, working dog events, dog obedience displays, face painting, heaps of kids' activities, the mobile library, gymkhana, food, coffee and more.
Generous sponsors of this year’s show include Murrindindi Shire Council, Mal Ryan and Glen Solicitors, Eildon Outboard and Mercury Motors, and Dindi Kids, who will also be running some free activities.
Other sponsors include OBrien Real Estate, Taggerty Vet Clinic (who will be judging and running the Pet Parade at 1pm), Riddellvue Angus, Bruce Steuart with the generous supply of a truck for the musicians, and Simpsons Fuel.
Association President, Matt Dean, has said, “Without the generous support of these businesses, the show would not be able to continue.”
Association Vice President and Ladies Committee member, Pam Petersen, has been encouraging the community to get involved and submit items into the Ladies Pavilion categories for months.
With Facebook posts and workshops that were held at the Embassy of Ideas over the last school holidays, the committee is doing everything it can to get the community involved.
“It’s still not too late to enter,” says Pam.
“Have a look at the schedules for the horses, poultry, and Ladies Pavilion on our website and make sure that you prepurchase your show tickets as well.
Entries for the Ladies Pavilion are taken the days before the show so make sure you check when the section entries need to be in by.”
But what parts of the show are the committee members looking forward to most?
Well, Matt is keen to see cattle in the shed and the working dogs in action.
Julie is looking forward to a soft serve from long-time stall holder Mr Quick Whip and the photography section.
Pam is excited to see if Helen Godfrey will have any competition in the fruit cake section and also for the sack races.
Leanne and Jo are looking forward to the result of months of work, with the smooth running of the gymkhana and the hobby horse events.
Individuals and businesses looking for more information about the show, including sponsorship, trade spaces, and competition entries, are encouraged to look at the show website: alexandrashow.com.
There are links to everything as well as opportunities to prepurchase gate tickets and tickets for face painting and the jumping castle.
For specific information not listed on the website, contact the secretary at pna.alexandra@gmail.com.
With so much on within Murrindindi Shire over the weekend of 9-10 November, make it a weekend of adventure with the Alexandra Show, the Marysville Running Festival, and the Love Me Again Outdoor Education Market!
