Maisie Bond, 11, of Harford, with her ferret, Snowball. Picture: GEOFF ROBSON
FERRETS will be doing their best to scurry quickly and claim the Australia Day title of fastest ferret at Latrobe's Henley on Mersey celebration.
Henley on Mersey will be a family day of fun at Bell's Parade, Latrobe, next Saturday from 9am until 4pm.
Events will include The Great Aussie Cherry Spit, spud-picking, scarecrow competition, woodchopping competition and a whip-cracking rendition of Advance Australia Fair.
Ferret Showdown organiser Sally Bond said up to 30 ferrets would compete in the event, where the animals race each other in a process of elimination.
"Two ferrets race at one time and the winner keeps on going through to the next round," Mrs Bond said.
"We keep racing until the last four ferrets."
Mrs Bond said she had owned the furry creatures for most of her life.
"I was brought up on a farm, they were part of everyday life," she said.
"Older generations used to use them for rabbiting, and now of course they keep them as pets.
"My father used to skip days from school to go rabbiting.
"They used to sell the rabbit skins, which were worth more than the actual meat, for pocket money, and that is how they used to buy their bikes and things."
The Australia Day Henley on Mersey admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children, with children under 5 admitted for free.
Participation in activities incurs a small charge with the opportunity to win some great prizes.
For a full list of events see www.henleyonmersey.com.au
- ISABEL BIRD