Perfect weather attracts strong show crowds

Warm weather was a highlight for this year’s Warragul Show held on Saturday and Sunday.

A crowd turned out for the many activities on Saturday and Saturday night while horse entries were high on Sunday.

Secretary Tonnie Schipper said the hot weather on Saturday affected some events including dancing presentations and the agility dogs.

She said the crowd was steady all day increasing in the evening.

“After the fireworks very few people stayed,” she said.

Warragul Police senior sergeant Ann-Marie Stevens said the show crowd was well behaved and there were no arrests.

“We were pleased with the crowd on Saturday night,” she said.

Ms Schipper said entries in both the dairy and beef sections were high and there also was a good display of goats.

The cattle rings featured a Holstein feature show which judge Brian Leslie described as outstanding, both in numbers and quality.

“It was one of the stronger shows you’d ever see in the country areas. It was a very, very strong event.

Mr Leslie said it was good to see a lot of younger breeders in the show rings.

He said there were about 50 entries in the Holstein classes which was excellent numbers compared to other shows.

Mr Leslie said the Holstein sale on Friday night leading into the show placed a greater focus on the show and the whole event.

“The quality was very good. It was one of the best events I’ve seen in the Holstein breed for a long time,” he said.

Local breeders dominated in the Holstein feature with Drouin South’s Bawden family taking out supreme champion dairy cow, champion Holstein and reserve champion Holstein.

Mundan Farms of Nilma took out the intermediate Holstein champion while Troy Smethurst of Athlone won the junior Holstein champion.

Exhibition steward Sue Gorst said some sections in the Exhibition Hall were down on last year but the overall standard of entries was high.

Most successful exhibitor was Kaye Howells of Pakenham.

The Snowy Pratt memorial award was won by Aileen White, while the most successful student was Raymond Grieve and the best exhibit by a new student was won by Matthew Hoffman.

The society rosette for the best school garden was won by Nilma Primary School.

The best made up arrangement was won by June Dineen and the photographic award was won by Jacob Silcock.

The best exhibit by a person with special needs was won by Brooke Hastings, while Kelly Ticheorne won the most successful exhibitor for a person with special needs.

The best rose was won by Aileen White and the best dahlia was won by Denis Zietsmann.

A highlight of the afternoon’s activities was the presentation of life membership to two long standing members former treasurer Maria Rosato and former committee member Fran Charles.

Photographs - pages 26-27