They came from Malmsbury and Montreal, Tylden and Taiwan, Drummond and Dublin, from Castlemaine and the Czech Republic, Sidonia, Sweden and Scotland, Newham, New Zealand, Indonesia and Japan.
In total, more than 9300 people attended the 161st Kyneton Show.
Kyneton Agricultural Society secretary Josephine Rutledge said perfect weather attracted record crowds for both the Friday night carnival and Show Day.
“It’s exciting to see that the show is something that’s so loved by everybody and people seem to bring their friends and family members from far and wide,” she said.
“Very rarely can you buy a ticket to something and then experience a day of free fun that will entertain 8 year-olds to 80 year-olds and the show is unique in that way.”
President Andrew Ferrington said it was a great country show with traditional things like the pavilion competition, the horse show and all the farm animals as well as all the free activities and new initiatives like the crowd-built LEGO wall.
Over five hours, 504 people of all ages created a giant multi-coloured mosaic made of 32,000 pieces of LEGO. Each person followed a template matching the colours on their tile. Each panel was then slotted into a 3.5-metre-wide, three-metre-high wall, gradually revealing the bigger Kyneton Show themed picture.
“The show is about getting out there and doing stuff, using your hands and your head and your imagination,” Mr Ferrington said.
He said the Kyneton Agricultural Society was believed to be the first in Victoria, possibly Australia, to deliver a sustainable show by reducing its carbon footprint and offsetting the carbon it produced.
“That’s waste, electricity, how much water we use, how much travel our volunteers do,” Mr Ferrington said. “The fireworks operator uses 15 kilograms of explosives, which generate about 8 kilograms of carbon. We offset our emissions planting trees and buying carbon credits to offset the estimated 15 tonnes of carbon produced through the show.”
The Wash Against Waste initiative saw volunteers washing crockery and cutlery, saving thousands of plastic plates and cups from landfill.
“They washed 1500 plates, 500 cups and glasses,” Mr Ferrington said. Each plate was washed and re-used at least three times, replacing a minimum 4500 plastic plates.
He thanked the 200 volunteers who made the show happen.
“We can’t do this without volunteers,” Mr Ferrington said. “We are all volunteers. No one is paid.”
Creative talent on show
There were more than 3000 entries in the pavilion competitions at the 161st Kyneton Show.
The Watts pavilion was a kaleidoscope of colourful creativity and fragrant blooms with another pavilion dedicated to the booming LEGO competition.
“It’s the only pavilion dedicated to LEGO at a country show in Victoria, possibly in Australia,” steward Nicole Laity said.
A record 300-plus stories were also on display in the creative writing competition.
The traditional agricultural show classes remain crowd favourites, from champion rose to the best baking, home grown vegetables and the best eggs, needlework and knitting.
More contemporary additions include the traditional art of home brew across a range of classes and the new category of wargaming miniatures which is tipped to grow next year as word spreads.
Photography is the most hotly contested section with more than 650 entries from experimental and drone photography to photos of the family pet.
It’s a showcase of talent from right around the district and beyond with some entrants coming from interstate to join the highly regarded Kyneton Show competition.
Winners of the VAS classes in each section go through to the group final for our region with the chance to win through to the state final at the Royal Melbourne Show.
The aggregate prize goes to the competitor who has won the most points across the various classes in their section.
While winning is a triumph, the fun is in sharing the joy and being part of a country show tradition.
Each entry makes the competition, creating a stunning display of incredible talent that saw thousands admiring the wide range of exhibits and animals across the two-day show.
The horse competition returned for the first time since COVID after being cancelled because of wet conditions last year.
The stud sheep section attracted more entrants in the junior handler competition while champion sheep and alpaca fleeces fascinated all ages.
The poultry pavilion was also popular, introducing crowds to a wide range of varieties of chickens, roosters, quail and ducks.These are the main prize winners for each section.
Craft work
Best adult exhibit class: John Frank and Lynn Walker
Best exhibit, 18-25 years: Riley Marshall
Best exhibit, 13-17 years: Maggie Barber
Best exhibit, 9-12 years: Riley Bourke
Best exhibit, 8 and under: Sylvie McKenna
Best junior exhibit: Jacquelyn Dudley and Mackinley Hardy
Best exhibit, wood: Cindy Prendergast
Best exhibit, ag art: Duncan Cocking
Hand-beaded jewellery: Lynn Walker (goes on to group final)
Decorated pet rock (14 yrs and under): Hannah Alexander (goes on to group final)
Best exhibit war gaming miniatures: Jayden Andrea
Creative writing
Class 1 (grade 5 and 6 students): Lily Moait, Lancefield Primary School
Class 1b (grade 3 and 4 students: Lena Dewberry, Kyneton Primary School
Class 2 (8 yrs and under): Annabel Schreiber, Hesket Primary School
Class 3 (9 to 12 years): Ava Ryan, St Ambrose Primary School
Class 4 (13 to15 yrs): no entry
Class 5 (16 to 17 yrs): Cooper Ganzevoort
Class 6 (adults): Eligh Blume
Farm and dairy produce
Aggregate prize: Deb Kohlman
Collection 5 vegetables: Deb Kohlman
Helen Thiele memorial ribbon (rhubarb): Deb Kohlman
Most outstanding entry: Paul Spiteri
Any vegetable grown by a child: Eva Spiteri
Best junior exhibit: Eva Spiteri
Fleeces – sheep
Richard Dixon Memorial Best Merino Fleece: Tom Metcalf
MB O’Sullivan Memorial Best Medium Merino Fleece: Noreen Murphy
Eilan Donan perpetual Trophy, Best Pair Merino Fleece: Noreen Murphy
Best Crossbred Fleece: Ronelle Welton
Fleeces – alpaca
Supreme Champion Huacaya Fleece: Surtierra Rebel exhibited by Surtierra
Reserve Overall Huacaya Fleece: Malakai Promise et exhibited by Chamley
Supreme Champion Suri Fleece: Attrill House Star-Lord exhibited by Attrill House
Reserve Overall Suri Fleece: Meridien Morwenna exhibited by Meridian
Ann Sales Memorial Ribbon for top scoring Grey Huacaya: Otway Orchard Silver Lining exhibited by Otway Orchard
Home brew
2023 Champion Brewer (aggregate prize for most points across the competition) and Champion Beer of Show: Craig Bates
Home produce
Aggregate prize: Wendy Proimos
Best adult exhibit: Tracey Marshall and Steven Adkins
Best junior exhibit: Indigo Hardy
VAS Rich fruit cake: Deb Kohlman
VAS junior boiled fruit cake: Mabel Pearce
VAS Carrot cake: Ian Kohlman
VAS junior carrot muffins: no entry
Plain sponge (4 eggs): Jodi Prendergast (goes on to group final)
Plain scones: Kerryn Wildenburg (goes on to group final)
Arnold Jenkins memorial ribbon, shortbread: Deb Hunt
Decorated teddy bear biscuit (10 yrs and under): Willlow Swain (goes on to group final)
Plain scones (14 yrs and under): Zoe Kennedy (goes on to group final)
Decorated cup cakes (14 yrs and under): Kirrily Bradford (goes on to group final)
Anything made with ginger: Sandra Fox
Handmade bread: Christine Jessup and Toni Atkinson
Horses
Supreme Led Exhibit Shirley Fitzgerald Memorial Trophy: Clint Bilson leading King Creed
VAS Ltd Off the Track Open: Clint Bilson leading King Creed (qualifies for the 2024 VASA Ag Show Championship)
Alabar Hero Series Standardbred Off the Track: Steph Gibson riding Scout’n About (qualifies for the 2024 VASA Ag Show Championship)
Jean Haynes Supreme Champion Harness horse or pony: Jodie Mckeone driving Winona of Bella Donna with groom, Cynthia Grant
Horticulture
Champion rose: Bronwyn O’Neill
Aggregate prize – cut flowers: Therese Ryan
Aggregate prize – potted plants: Rebecca Long
Aggregate prize – decorative section: Kristina Forbes
Best exhibit, decorative section: Kristina Forbes
Best exhibit, children’s section: Oliver Holmes
Arnold Jenkins memorial ribbon: Therese Ryan
Jams, preserves, chutneys
Aggregate prize: Deb Kohlman
Best jar of jam: Brigid Robertson
Exhibition citrus marmalade: Deb Kohlman
Best preserve: Brigid Robertson
Best junior exhibit: Noah Furness
Best spread: Deb Kohlman
Best exhibit, young adult: Jojo Beard
LEGO
Best exhibit 5 years and under: Callum Gallo
Best exhibit 6-8 years: Clifford Blake
Best exhibit 9 – 12 years: Mackinley Hardy
Best exhibit 13 – 17 years: Oscar Pereira
Best exhibit big kids: Daniel Porter
Needlework and knitting
Aggregate prize: Joanne Woolacott
VAS State Sewing Championship: no entry
VAS Knitting: Joanne Woolacott (goes on to group final)
VAS Hand patchwork: no entry
VAS Hand embroidery: no entry
VAS Crocheted article: Gai Stewart
VAS Cross stitch: Shirley Porter
Best exhibit, knitting: Suzanne Ereaut
Knitted baby garment: Helen Judge (goes on to group final)
Beanie: Joanne Woolacott (goes on to group final)
Coat hanger, any yarn: no entry
Best exhibit, crochet: Pamela Inglis
Crochet baby jacket: Kerry Bruni (goes on to group final)
Any crocheted toy: Jennifer Dittmer (goes on to group final)
Best exhibit, Textile design/sewing: Kelly Cassidy
Best exhibit, Embroidery: joy Pearce
Best exhibit, Patchwork/quilting: Debbie Garrigan
Best exhibit, Stitching: Lindy Muir
Best exhibit, Toys/dolls: Vicki-Anne Jakobi
Best exhibit, Bags: Jo Porch
Best exhibit, miscellaneous: Deirdre Briscombe
Best junior exhibit: Penny Whelan
Handspinning Bob Stewart Memorial Prize: Jennifer Francis
Best exhibit, young adult 18-25 years: Freja Halvarsson
Best exhibit, junior 17 years and under: Lily Anstey-sprigg
Painting and drawing
Aub Gibson prize for Best original painting: Stephanie Warr
Best junior exhibit: Kirrily Bradford
Paper skills
Best adult exhibit: Nicole Laity
Best junior exhibit: Ella Middleton Bruhn
1 leaf (one page): Sharyn Wade (goes on to group final)
Handmade card, 14 yrs and under: Adelia Padilla Judge (goes on to group final)
Handmade card, open: Victoria Porter (goes on to group final)
Photography
Aggregate prize in memory Nash Dudley: Jen Ford
Best adult exhibit: Leanne Watts
Best junior exhibit: Lana Hughes
Encouragement award juniors: Jasper Bailey
Daniel McKay award – adult: Sharyn Wade
Daniel McKay award – junior: Lana Hughes
VAS photography, adult: Francesca Tenniswood
VAS photography, junior: Matilda Scott
Poultry
Champion Bird in Show: Old English Game Black Red rooster exhibited by Rob Maloney
Reserve Champion: Black Pekin Hen exhibited by Ben Pickles
Champion Standard Hardfeather: Old English Game Black Red rooster exhibited by Rob Maloney
Champion Standard Light Softfeather: White Leghorn exhibited by Ben Pickles
Champion Standard Heavy Softfeather: Barnevelder hen exhibited by Caitlyn Bonacker
Champion Bantam Light Softfeather: White Leghorn exhibited by Ben Pickles
Champion Bantam Heavy Softfeather: Black Pekin Hen exhibited by Ben Pickles
Champion Hardfeather Bantam: Old English Black Red Rooster exhibited by Robert Moloney
Champion Waterfowl: White Muscovy duck exhibited by Ben Pickles
Stud sheep
Champion Ram of Show, exhibited by Sebastian Beattie, Hampshire Down
Reserve Champion Ram: Cloverleaf, exhibited by Corridale
Champion Ewe: exhibited by Audrey Beattie, Hampshire Down
Champion Group of the Show (1 Ram, 2 Ewes, any age): Cloverleaf, exhibited by Corridale
Junior Handlers Competition: Bosco Correa
