THE VIABILITY of country shows is a topic brought up every year.
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However, show committees across the Wimmera are constantly finding new ways to change and evolve with the times to ensure the longevity of these important events.
Horsham Agricultural Society secretary Andrea Cross said several changes had been made to the Horsham Show this year.
“We are running it from Maydale Reserve only this year, as well as including a food and wine festival for the first time,” she said.
“The river is a perfect backdrop for the festival, which came about about the success of the Farm to Fork night market. We want to engage a different audience so we have something for everyone.
“We have the same problem as the smaller shows. We’re all just surviving, but the time has come to start thriving.
“Every year we try to bring out an element of change in the show and we have taken several risks this year.”
Ms Cross said the show would always make agriculture its primary focus.
“Agriculture is our tradition and culture in the Wimmera. Over the years, the region has seen too many traditions lost so it’s important that the shows go on,” she said.
Earlier this year it looked like the Murtoa Show would not go ahead in 2018 with committee numbers dwindling, but community commitment enabled the show to go on.
The committee recently chose its new line-up with many young community members taking on positions – Tom McGrath was elected president and Emma Hamilton elected vice president.
Mr McGrath said it was great to be part of a passionate committee.
“In June this year the show committee held a crisis meeting to determine the show’s future and as a result I took on the role of president,” he said.
“(Past president) Les Loeliger is a fantastic member of the community and a real gentleman, and is mentoring me through my role.”
Ararat Mayor Gwenda Allgood, also a show society life member, called a meeting after fears for the show’s survival.
The meeting was well-attended and it was decided that the show would go on. She said she was grateful to see the community show their support for the show.
Murtoa resident Claire Bibby is busy with her involvement in the Donald Pastoral and Agricultural Society, the Murtoa Agricultural and Pastoral Society and the Wimmera Agricultural Societies Association.
She said country shows were an essential part of the community.
“They are the one or two days where the whole community can come together,” she said.
“They are so valuable to small communities. I want to encourage people to support their local country shows.”
Ms Bibby said it was a pleasure to be involved in the new-look Murtoa Show committee.
“It’s fantastic for Murtoa to have a young committee; it’s a very diverse and passionate group of people, which is so positive for our small community,” she said.
“We need to encourage more young people to come on board. The survival of these shows is reliant on passionate community members getting on board.
“Nowadays, many show committees are getting the schools more involved and letting the students pitch ideas about what they want.”
Show legacy lives on
Agricultural shows have a long-standing and important legacy within the Wimmera community.
The Horsham Show is one of the longest-running shows in the Wimmera, with the first Horsham and Wimmera District Agricultural and Pastoral Society show held on August 2, 1876.
It was held at the current Horsham City Oval until 1902 when the show moved to its current premises bordered by the Wimmera River in an area formerly known as Queen Victoria Park.
Shows were not held in the years between 1940 and 1942 due to the Second World War.
Barry Gross has been a member of the Horsham Agricultural Society for 50 years and has many fond memories of the show.
“Both my father and grandfather were involved in the show, so I wanted to continue the family tradition. They would compete in the prime lamb section,” he said.
“I remember going to those early meeting in the 70s where everyone would wear suits and ties. It’s a lot more casual now. In those days, machinery was always a huge part of the show. But with the introduction of field days that changed.”
He said the Wimmera’s country shows had evolved considerably.
“Of course showing the region’s produce is always still the most important thing and that hasn’t changed,” he said.
“The shows are important ways to support the region’s agriculture industry.”
Ms Cross said the last five years had seen a massive change for the show.
“Agriculture is our tradition and culture in the Wimmera. Over the years, the region has seen too many traditions lost so it’s important that the shows go on,” she said.
“We know that we need to modify and be progressive in our approach to taking risks. That all has to do with passion and we’re lucky to have a group of passionate people on board.”
Ms Cross said no information was know about the formation of the Horsham and Wimmera District Pastoral and Agricultural Society.
“No minute books earlier than 1980 have survived,” she said.
“We do not know the names of the first members of the society, but we do know details of the committee and of the first show.”
She said one thing remained throughout the show’s many years – its dedication to agriculture.
“From the very beginning, the aim of the Horsham and Wimmera District Agricultural and Pastoral Society was to improve the quality of livestock and to promote agriculture in the district,” she said.
“Today our aim is to conduct a traditional agricultural show which provides competitions and entertainment for all.”
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