It was the big comeback year for the Kangaroo Valley Show and we promised it would go ahead, rain hail or shine. Little did we know we would also get scorching heat, thunder and lightning as well, but on we went in a weather degustation and the 136th Show is now done and dusted.
Despite the soaring temperatures, the community was overwhelmingly engaged in so many areas of the Show. Hundreds of volunteers helped in the weeks leading up to turn Osborne Park into the official Showground for the weekend’s competitions and festivities.
We were officially welcomed on Country with a smoking ceremony by Drew Longbottom from Gadhungal Murring. The official opening by Dave Kent and Harold Sharman saw them acknowledged for their service by the President of AgShows NSW Peter Gooch. Sadly, the Grand Parade was cancelled due to the heat, but plans are afoot to make it grander than ever for 2024.
This year, record numbers entered many of the competitions, skills learned and honed during lockdown and a general enthusiasm to get back into it, with all winners to be listed on the website and in this issue.
Among the many highlights, over 130 competitors came from five local high schools to enter the Beef Cattle Young Judging Competition, of which President Harold Sharman was particularly proud. “It’s a fantastic achievement for the area and for our reputation in holding this competition for Group Five, the main body that looks after all our shows on the coast”.
The hard work and investment of brand new cages in the Poultry Pavilion had Chief Steward Rob Folkard beaming. “We’ve got a full shed of spectacular birds. The judges were impressed and said most wouldn’t look out of place at Sydney Royal.”
The Cheese and Dairy competition had a record breaking 90 entries, which saw Carole Willman’s live judging take about six hours. She tasted each entry and gave specific feedback for an audience of people who have entered or are just interested onlookers. Kathy Harrington hailed the response as fantastic, adding “It shows there are lots of enthusiastic amateur cheesemakers out there in the community”. Valley Cheesemakers went on to host a Cheese and Wine tasting on Friday evening which was a sold-out success.
Busking took on a different form this year with two stages playing host to some 15 musical acts across the day on Saturday. The first prize of $500 went to 57-year-old Singer/Songwriter Gaby Bonello, who performed on stage while her daughter took part in the Horses competition. Gaby says the prize money will go to her studio costs for recording new material, so take a listen on Spotify and follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/gabybonellomusic/.
Local Bush Poet Laurie Webb ignited the passion of young and old poets with the new event this year, ‘Poetry in the Paddock’. Laurie put on two workshops at Hampden Deli to prepare the adults for their poetry performance and took time to go to Kangaroo Valley and Avoca primary schools to help the kids. Not only that, but he also put up prize money for the kids’ competition: first prize of $100 went to Ruby Minchin, whose Mum Emma said she could spend half at the Show and save half.
It was the inaugural Canoe Carrying Race and, with 39 degree heat, there was doubt that anyone would sign up to carry a 27kg canoe and sprint 100m, but 30 people proved that they are prepared to try something new. It could have been the prize money put up by Paddle & Portage Canoes to back what owner Travis Frenay called “their crazy idea”, an idea designed to support the claim of KV being the Canoe Capital of Australia. Ned Baker won the crown in the male category and was taking himself to the NT Barra fishing, while Sally Vidler was swimming in the pool before deciding to give it a go, in heeled boots and dress, and crossed the finish line first in the women’s to be $1000 richer. Word has spread far and wide, and Trav is getting calls from Canada to explain. Perhaps we host the World Championships in a few years time?
Not long after the canoe race was run, the skies turned black and then opened up as the crowds gathering for the rodeo ran for cover. The bar was a better than usual refuge while we waited for the storm to pass and assess if the Show would go on. Past president and Horses Chief Steward, Lorraine Mairinger barely looked up from her scoresheet to say “Oh, this happens every year. It will pass in 15 minutes and we will be fine.” And so we were and, with the storm, temperatures dropped almost by half to make it a much better evening for the audience and rodeo competitors (and bulls).
As we wrap up for this year, special acknowledgement and thanks to outgoing committee executive Honorary Secretary Lauren Murray, who sadly leaves the Valley for the Highlands, promising to be back for the weekend to help in 2024. Lauren is a powerhouse and has contributed in ways hard to know exactly until she is no longer there. Also standing down is President Harold Sharman and, as he hands over the baton, Harold leaves a legacy that we all hope will carry on for as many years ahead as he has been involved in the past. “It’s always going to be to do with the land and the people on the land and, you know, we’ve got a lot of conscientious young farmers here. But we also class ourselves as The Friendly Show and that’s what we always want to keep it as.”
Julie Ward