SWAN Hill and Kerang entrants have performed strongly at this year’s Northern District Agricultural Shows finals.
Taking out 17 places or highly commended awards in both open and junior categories, Swan Hill led the charge over Kerang, with 15.
One of the standouts in the junior categories was Swan Hill local Kobe Davison, 17, who won six awards in the cooking and photography categories.
NDAS group secretary Rob Bowles said it was great that life was starting to get back to normal with all but a few regional agricultural shows able to go ahead this year.
He said life in the region over the past few years had been a challenge.
“Due to the floods, we didn’t have a full participation level from our group members, but that did not diminish the level of the competition with strong entries and good support from those that were able to enter.
“Both Swan Hill and Kerang did great and stood up well to the competition from other districts,” Mr Bowles said.
The winners in many of the categories go on to the Melbourne Royal Show later in the year to represent the Northern Districts.
“The prize and the stakes are pretty high. In those open sections a place in the state competition is well sought after as they try to win their way through.
“Whilst it’s a friendly competition within the local communities, there is also seriousness to it as residents go up against their rivals.
“Some of the exhibitors are becoming generational. At the recent finals some kids were representing their mothers and grandmothers that have done similar things over the years.
“Agricultural shows have stood the test of time with many over 100 years old, the recipe and activity of the show has kept its flavour to last that long because not all events stay in circulation that long,” Mr Bowles said.
Both categories for wool fleeces were taken out by Kerang entrants. Bryce Mimmo won the Fine Wool Fleece category and the Strong Wool Fleece prize was awarded to Stuart McClelland.
