Two-year-old black kelpie Jet was the dog jumping winner, jumping and clawing up and over 2m 10cm, much to the delight of owner Trish Williams of Brimeen and the applause of showgoers.
People still saw the need for Rutherglen’s Agricultural Show, with an overall estimated 1,000 people attending the 132nd annual event on Saturday.
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Showgoers love a good show and Rutherglen had plenty for all ages of people despite two hours of pouring rain from about 4.00am to 6.00am.
“Despite the expectations of rain, the community support has been fantastic,” show president Greg Lumby told The Free Press.
“A number of businesses showed us how keen they were for the show to proceed.
“The whole agriculture show was at a turning point whether it was to be run but the turn out here today demonstrates the public want their agricultural show.”
Production of a light, fluffy sponge which took 25 minutes won Best Female Cake for Jo Hourigan of Boorhaman North, whilst Damien Neil of Browns Plains won his third Best Male Cake prize in four years of entries with his two-hour to make red velvet cake with cream cheese icing.
It was Rutherglen’s first agricultural show since 2019 due to Covid and the second attempt this year because of the consistent and extremely wet weather. This year’s delayed date had one big plus.
Junior cattle handling parade winners were 10 to under 15, Matilda Sullivan, Catholic College Wodonga; Izzy Thompson (8 to under 10) of St Francis Primary School Wodonga and Lachlan Dunne (15 to under 25) from Rutherglen High School.
“It was so good to see the woodchoppers return after 12 years,” Mr Lumby said. “The North East Woodchoppers went into recess for a while and couldn’t make our earlier proposed show date this year. And a big thank you to our woodchopping sponsored Morris Wines who donated $3,000 for this event. The woodchoppers enjoyed being at our show and are locked in for next year.”
Chips fly as these woodcutters chop their blocks of wood.
Numbers of showgoers through the showgrounds gates increased rapidly from 10.00am, to have good vantage points for the spectacular dog jumping event under the control of MC extraordinaire Tony Jones.
Miss Showgirl and Showboy winners were Master Tiny Tot 3-5 yrs Patrick Ludica, Miss Tiny Tot 3-5 yrs Lottie Colman; Junior Girl 6-9 yrs - Michaela Worcester, Junior Boy 6-9 yrs - Lachlan Neil; Junior Girl 10-12 yrs - Isabel Neil, Junior Boy 10-12 yrs Rio Glenn; Intermediate Girl 13-16 yrs - Cleo Glenn.
Various animals attracted good numbers of admirers, such as at the cattle judging, in the poultry pavilion, in the sheep pavilion with the animal nursery, sheep and snakes, and the ferrets in the main activity area.
The wood chopping competition always attracts good numbers and last Saturday was no exception.
In the A E Henderson Pavilion, hundreds of people admired the wide range of exhibits, as they did with outdoor trade exhibits in the activity area where music was provided with Rutherglen band Back on Track.
The work by Maureen Hughes of Wangaratta and Suzanne French of Corowa from Wangaratta Spinners and Weavers was admired.
Understandably, the number of showrides was down and the Teacup showride from Wodonga had a field day. Nevertheless, with ample food stalls and plenty of children’s activities including face painting, and the weather behaving itself for most of the show, showgoers enjoyed themselves and welcomed the return of a town icon.
The Teacup show ride from Wodonga proved most popular with the younger children.
A constant stream of showgoers saw various types of snakes and a dingo, by Snake Safe Victoria. Snake Safe Victoria Kilmore’s Kaiden Anderson holds an olive python and Jayden Collins the alpine dingo.
It was a satisfied president. But Mr Lumby, who has been in the top job since 2010, would love to see more people come forward to be volunteers for the annual show.
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