Showtime: Sideshow alley will be just one component of this year’s Kyabram show, which will have free entry for anyone aged 17 and under — through a subsidy provided by the Federal Government to shows which have been sidelined for the past two years.
Photo by
Julie Mercer
Kyabram Show will return on October 15 after two years in the wilderness — a Federal Government subsidy meaning free entry to the Allan St showgrounds for anyone aged 17 years and under.
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COVID restrictions have seen more than 700 agricultural shows cancelled in recent times and an extra $21 million was allocated to the organisations as a result of the difficult nature of the past two years.
Kyabram Agricultural, Horticultural and Pastoral Society secretary Janelle McDonald said the new entry conditions would allow for a much cheaper experience for families.
“It will mean only adults are charged an entry free to the show this year, making it more affordable for everyone,” she said.
Dogs, cattle and horses, along with goats, chickens and the usual array of art, craft and floral exhibitions will return in force for the event.
Recent wet weather has Ms McDonald keeping a close eye on weather forecasts as neighbouring shows have had to cancel again due to persistent spring rainfall.
Planning for horse show component of Shepparton show, which is scheduled for this Friday and Saturday, has been impacted by the predicted heavy rainfall this week.
It is a hectic month for shows, with Numurkah’s annual event due to return the Wednesday after Kyabram Show and Cobram is the following Saturday.
“We are trying not to think about rain. It has to be a perfect day for us,” Ms McDonald said.
Ms McDonald has been secretary of the show for 14 years and she was recently presented with life membership of the Kyabram Agricultural, Horticultural and Pastoral Society.
She said the gates of Kyabram showgrounds would open at 9am to the general public, with adult entry $15 (no concession) and the Kyabram Lions Club again manning the gates.
“We have a strong affiliation with the service clubs, Rotary will be conducting a barbecue and we are now confirming with Henley Friends that they will operate a barbecue in the cattle section.
“Win Crilly will have tickets available for the Henley Friends Charity Raffle at the show,” Ms McDonald said.
There will be a sideshow alley operating for those not in tune with the more traditional aspects of the agriculturally focused event.
In memory: Neville McDonald, the late husband of Kyabram Agricultural, Horticultural and Pastoral Society secretary Janelle, will be honoured at this year’s October 15 show — the first since 2019. He is shown here at a previous Tatura show with his Sunshine Farm champion dairy cow.
Photo by
Julie Mercer
Kyabram staged a craft show last year, but 2022 this is the first full show in three years.
“We will have our usual horse show, which is expected to be big because a few have cancelled because due to the recent weather,’’ Ms Ms McDonald said.
“Shepparton cancelled their horse show, which was due to be this weekend.
“There are a couple of others who didn’t go ahead, so they are sure to be keen to come here.
“Unless we are flooded we are having a horse show.”
There will also be the traditional dairy cattle show, a facet close to the heart of Ms McDonald and another of the Kyabram event’s strong suits.
“There has been plenty of inquiry about the cattle show,” she said, explaining the cattle show was always the domain of her late husband, Neville, who died on July 3, 2020.
The McDonald family is based at Sunshine Farm, on the outskirts of Kyabram, and a memorial trophy will be presented in Neville McDonald’s honour for the champion jersey cow at the show.
“He spent 41 years showing, so this year has a bit of significance for me,’’ Ms McDonald said.
“We showed at Nathalia on Saturday and brought home five awards from the five animals we showed, including supreme jersey cow and reserve champion.’’
Kyabram’s Adrian and Roslyn Miller will this year be running the animal nursery and a massive dog show is in the works, with two events operating on the one day.
“The boer goats will have their own section at the event, along with the chicken and pigeon shows,’’ Ms McDonald said.
“There will be a pet parade and back to basics kids games. We are just about to book some entertainment for the children.”
Children’s attraction at the show will include sumo suits and a football competition.
