Fleeces were checked for quality, sheep lined up for showing and children had the day off school, making Campbell Town buzz for its 180th show.
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Midlands Agricultural Association president George Gatenby launched the body’s 180th anniversary book, by Vera Taylor and Dr Georgina Pengilley, and officiated over the prize ceremonies, but was also had the chance to reflect on the show’s success after so many years.
“We’ve got an amazing group of volunteers and people who are committed to the industry and want to make it sustainable into the future,” Mr Gatenby said.
RELATED GALLERY: Highlights from the Campbell Town Show
The number of school and tertiary students at Campbell Town Show is evidence that the district has many future farmers in its midst.
“Many of these kids haven’t seen sheep – especially the theatre of the sheep ring, and the tweed and the big rams all fluffed up. It’s one of those exciting things that the community doesn’t see day-to-day,” he said.
“We got young kids in the shearing competition that wouldn’t do anything like that in an normal day. They teach them how to do it and then they practice it and compete in it, so that’s something that excites us.”
Mr Gatenby launched the association’s history book on Friday, along with life member John Taylor.
“The majority of people who are the history [of Midlands Agricultural Association] are here at the show today. They’ve got a great story to be told and the work done by Georgie and Vera in putting that down on paper forevermore is great,” Mr Gatenby said.
“It’s great that it’s now written down and will never be lost.”
There is an even bigger day planned for Campbell Town Show on Saturday, with activities starting from 7.30am, including balloon animals, face painting and George the Farmer.
“[George the Farmer’s] educational target is to teach kids where their milk comes from, because 70 per cent of kids surveyed five years ago didn’t know that yoghurt came from a cow, but thought it came from the supermarket,” Mr Gatenby said.
He also listed wiener racing; wood chopping, yard dog and shearing championships; equestrian carriage class; dog high jump; AWI Fashion Parade and showjumping as highlights.
“The trade sites will be going all day, with plenty of nice food and sunny weather.”