THE Central & Upper Goulburn Group hosted its group finals on April 21 for 10 affiliated show societies, all vying for wins in the various VAS (Victorian Agricultural Shows) categories and a possible chance to compete at the state finals later this year.

Societies included Alexandra, Heathcote, Lancefield, Kyneton, Mansfield, Seymour, Sunbury, Whittlesea, Yea, Lilydale and Yarra Valley, with an excellent turnout of representatives.

The daytime finals, held at Kings Park, Seymour, showcased the group's talents and skills in cookery, home crafts, photography, fleeces, and young ambassador competitions.

The junior ambassadors were interviewed earlier in the day, and then over lunch, guests got to hear them answer questions.

Yea's Claire Noonan will represent the Central & Upper Goulburn Group at the state finals of the VAS Junior Ambassador competition.

The junior competition is traditionally judged at the VAS Convention in June, and this year's host will be the Kaniva A&P Society.

Claire spoke about her family's involvement with the Yea Show over several years, how she has "always loved the show," and how she wasn't pressured into entering the ambassador competition.

Meanwhile, the Rural Ambassador will be judged at the Royal Melbourne Show in September.

Mansfield's Nicci Teitge will fly the flag for her local show society and the group.

While a relative newcomer to the district, Nicci has always been involved in country life and works for a stock and station agency in Mansfield.

She has volunteered at various events hosted by the Mansfield A&P Society, including the recent Tom Curtain show and the annual campdraft.

The other VAS winners to go through to the state finals are rich fruit cake, Helen Godfrey, Alexandra; carrot cake, Larraine Leask, Heathcote; junior boiled fruit cake, Alyssa Reino, Sunbury; junior carrot and date muffins, Violet Ruscitti, Lilydale & Yarra Valley; hand embroidery, Leslie Kneeshaw, Whittlesea; sewing Bev Laing, Lancefield; cross stitch, Sonia Lewis, Mansfield; patchwork, Vicki Anceschi, Whittlesea; knitting, Joanne Woolacott, Kyneton; crochet, Kathy Hayes, Heathcote; photography open, Jessie Bishop, Yea; photography junior, Jacob Shroen, Whittlesea and champion fleece, Ava and Tom Harris, Heathcote.

Various non-VAS group classes were well supported across cookery, needlework, crafts and essay writing.

Judges commented entries were of a "very high standard" this year.