Member for Northen Victoria Jaclyn Symes enjoyed her second trip to Rutherglen in two weeks when she won the celebrity guest grape stomping contest last Sunday in the 2024 Roaming Rutherglen Winery Walkabout.
She beat last year’s winner, Federal Opposition Senator Bridget McKenzie and the Mayor of Indigo Shire Sophie Price, with each government representative partnered by Rutherglen Apexians in the three-minute competition.
Ms Symes won the much-watched event in 2022. “It’s always wonderful to be in Rutherglen and I’m very happy to be here. As you know, I was here for the halfway stage of construction of the $57 million aged care facility development (story on Page 6),” she told The Free Press. “It’s going to be a fantastic facility.
“Ken Jasper is such an icon in Rutherglen. Whenever he rings me up to be in the grape stomping, I’m always glad to come up.”
Will you be up next year to defend your title? “I reckon!” she replied.
For many decades, the celebrity grape tread has been a highlight of the Rutherglen Country Fair (titled since June 9, 2024) and was originally organised by former Member for Murray Valley, Ken Jasper AM, who has been a winner of the grape tread since the late 1970s and who comperes the event.
One memorable victory for Ken was over former state politician, Carlton ruckman Justin Madden. “He was so big, with big feet, but I didn’t tell him the knack of getting the juices to flow!” Ken said.
“It was only then I didn’t give the big tip – that is to keep the grapes away from the hole so the juices will flow into the bucket.”
The Rutherglen Country Fair had some 250 stalls last weekend showcasing the diversified array of goods including food, clothing, household products and entertainment as part of the activities organised by the Rotary Club of Rutherglen.
The Sunday is very much part of the Roam Rutherglen Winery Walkabout with big crowds roaming the town’s Main and High Streets and finding many bargains.