DUTY CALLED last Saturday, which saw me go to the Warragul & West Gippsland Agricultural Annual Show.
Usually, the Warragul show is held over Friday evening, which is carnival time, and the main events are on the Saturday. A revamped show committee altered this to the annual show and carnival, Saturday, and most of the equestrian events now on the Sunday.
The main reason for this is that many people are still travelling home on a Friday evening, and now Saturday mornings can still see numerous people working.
Numbers were up slightly during the day, which is a good outcome, but like many other local district agricultural shows, it is difficult to get the general populous excited by these local events.
For those old enough to remember the strength of agricultural participation in the Royal Melbourne Show, it was a great event, bring thousands of farmers and their families to Melbourne.
Although still drawing very big crowd, Royal Melbourne now draws folk from the suburbs seeking, food, wine and entertainment, rather than agricultural pursuits. Here in the Baw Baw Shire we have the show, plus the Lardner Park Field Days, the field days now covering all forms of agriculture with some livestock breeds on display.
Does this scenario take people away from the show, I would say not, as many locals attend both.
However, the difficulties facing all local agricultural shows are very similar. Talking to some of the people, last Saturday, indicated that other shows in neighboring districts struggled too.
At least on of these other shows almost had to cancel the livestock section due to lack of entries. Most of these small shows rely on small cattle studs to enter and show their cattle, as most of the larger studs are now only targeting the major shows in capital cities.
From my experience, most of these smaller studs are, or were operated by an older generation, many of whom have now given away raising stud cattle.
Also, locally, some of the stud breeders are using Stock & Land’s Beef Week to promote their studs, and shying away from local shows.
However, these shows are not all about beef and dairy cattle, there are goats, sheep, chickens and other birds too. Horse competitions can make up a reasonable portion of shows too. But, once again here, many quality horse events are being held throughout the year, which is taking shine from local show.
It is alright making these comments, but how can we rectify the problem. Similar to many community committees, show societies are struggling to attract new blood.
It will take some of the younger generation, interacting with current committees, and then taking over the helm, to ensure some, all all of these local shows to continue. I know here at the Warragul show, I see the same faces year in, year out, and none are getting any younger.
Before I go, I must make an apology. In last week’s edition, I had a photo of two old age pensioners. Unfortunately, I fell into old age mode myself, and had a memory lapse. I mistakenly introduced Bob Attenborough as Bill Loughridge.
On Friday I was corrected twice, and Saturday I had a call from Bill Loughridge. Again apologies for mixing up their names, but no apologies for the “old age pensioner” quip, ho ho.
