GETTING BACK TO NATI:
Robert Isaacson, left, and Hutch Hickmott, were right in the spirit of the occasion during a street parade as part of a three-day combined Natimuk Show and Backto-natimuk celebration. A weekend of activities in Natimuk commemorated 150 years of settlement in the town. Visitors travelled from across Victoria and interstate for the event organised by Arapiles Historical Society, Natimuk A and P Society and Back-to-natimuk trustees.
Organisers of a combined 130th Natimuk Show and 150th Back-to-natimuk celebrations at the weekend have described the event as ‘awesome’.
Natimuk Agricultural and Pastoral Society secretary Judith Bysouth said a large throng of people in Natimuk also guaranteed a ‘bonanza’ in show gate-takings.
“Our show-day master of ceremonies Matt Bubner said it was ‘perfection’ – perfect weather, perfect organisation, perfect event,” she said.
“Congratulations to the show committee, sponsors, volunteers, traders, vendors and everyone else who helped make the 130th Natimuk Show memorable.
“Highlights were radiant smiles on faces, strong support from the Victoria Showmen with entertaining attractions for all ages, trade site and market sites filling the grounds, along with a variety of individual free children’s activities.”
Mrs Bysouth said festivities started with a street parade led by Horsham Rural City Band, followed by Horsham Pony Club representatives and then the original first wagon to arrive in Natimuk.
“Locals followed the wagon on foot, followed by decorated bikes, a cascade of cars, a fire truck and farm machinery. Natimuk Brass Band accompanied the parade from the Natimuk rotunda,” she said.
“There were so many show highlights, right down to a tomato sauce-making challenge, with Paul Morrison winning, closely followed by Team Marchesini Sisters.
“A virtual-reality attraction ‘The Grain Arcade’ made its show debut and was extremely popular and the arena was filled with horses, a colourful display of cars, bikes and utes and a continuous silent pictorial present of past showday activities on the Optus Bus screen.
“A vigorous shearing competition again kept
crowds entertained. There was a high-quality historical display in a hay, grain and fleece pavilion as well as a new rock-climbing wall.
“Natimuk Primary School helped with Acknowledgment to Country as part of the official opening and Victorian Agricultural Shows executive officer Rod Bowls awarded the society with a 130th show acknowledgment.
“He also presented society president Robert Rogers with a meritorious award for more 60 years of service.”
Mrs Bysouth said the show ended with an evening meal, Natimuk crop competition presentations and a final showing of the historical pictorial presentation.
Activities continued on Sunday as part of the 150th back-to celebrations.
Mrs Bysouth said planning was already underway for next year’s show activities, but an Easter Sunday Farmers Market on April 17 was next event on the agenda.