THE King Island Show was a hit with young and older, families and politicians. A glorious King Island sunny day with little wind brought Islanders out to the Showgrounds.

The conditions were perfect, however in the back of everyone’s mind was the dry and farmer conversations inevitably gravitated towards the drought.

Children embraced every category of entry and competition on offer, just as mum, dad, grandpa and grandma have done over the years. There were show bags and side show alley, food stalls and prizes to be won and it was King Island’s own public holiday.

People turned to the skies to watch the parachute display and see those who decided to try the tandem jump land in the racecourse paddocks.

The ‘Toughest King Islander Challenge’ – a timed immersion in an ice bath offered a $1000 reward. The time limit of nine minutes was imposed for health and safety reasons, and the pot was split among four winning contestants.

Jenny Hill once again sponsored the Show Girls and Show Boys and was judged by the CWA. All entrants made a big dress up effort and were excited to receive a sash or ribbon to take home.

The King Island Pastoral Agricultural Horticultural Society Inc. – ‘King Island Show’- is one of the earliest in the year to kick off the Tasmanian Show calendar. Premier Jeremy Rockliff with his Braddon liberal team, Felix Ellis MP, Roger Jaensch MP and election candidate hopefuls, made King Island support announcements and mixed with the community.

Regular King Island Show visitors Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest, Federal Liberal MP Gavin Pearce and Tasmanian Labor Senator Anne Urquhart listened to concerns and soaked up the show atmosphere.

The day showcased the King Island agricultural and rural lifestyle and proudly celebrates the quality and diversity of the community’s interests, skills and hobbies across all ages and backgrounds. The Tasmanian visiting judges once again praised the level of skill and quality in the pavilion entries and reiterated past year’s comment, “The entries would stand up anywhere and often are better than some of the big shows around the country.”

For the second time horse events were held the previous Saturday and Jumps and Games on Sunday. The attendance of around 400 exemplified the King Island community’s solidarity in getting behind the event organisers and recognised the importance of shows in rural and regional areas.

The cattle entries were lower than in past years, however the Pavilion entries filled the shelves. The First, Second or Commendation card in the produce, makers, growers and creators still give both first-time entrants and lifetime entrants a thrill and excitement at seeing a Rosette or Special Award.

The People’s Choice art award went to Karen Kingshott, the Thelma Crack Memorial Trophy to Bob Coldwell for his magnificent kitchen trolley made from recycled timber from bed heads from the old Grassy mine’s single men’s quarters and the Anne Conley Memorial Prize to Val McGarvie. Ava Barnes won the Jean Rozer Memorial Award for a Novice (the winner being a first-year exhibitor and decided by a panel of CWA judges).

Pets were dressed and paraded, and the ‘Boot throwing’, whip cracking and the ever-popular dog jumping caused laughter, camaraderie and competition.

‘Rooster’ won and equaled the Show dog jumping record he set last year, scaling 2.2 metres.

James Hill scooped the pool with his Herefords winning Grand Champion and Reserve Champion.

The juniors who entered the junior cattle judges competition took it very seriously. The final awards went to Amelia Poulsen Champion, Junior Judge and Holly Davis Reserve Champion Junior Judge. The two winners will be sponsored to attend the Tasmanian Junior Beef Expo to experience show cattle handling.

Many weary children will be thinking of next year and the Show Committee can be pleased that they have been successful in their 2024 aim of encouraging children to enter and participate in the King Island Show.

THE first official King Island Show event and judging is held the weekend before Show Day and is dedicated to horses.

Saturday featured Dressage and Hacking events and on Sunday came the Jumping and Games. The competition and spectator numbers were good on both days, especially considering the chilly wind and decrease in horse ownership across the island.

The Pony Club is recovering, with fourteen new young members who share ponies, equipment and even clothing, which keeps costs down for families. Finnglenny of Hillcrest – a Purebred Highland Pony, owned and ridden by Erika Buhck – was awarded Supreme Led Exhibit in Show. “Judge Katy Brown was impressed with his correct conformation, perfect tracking and excellent bone structure,” Ms Buhck said.

“Super proud of Rusty for winning his walk trot and scoring the top score for the day. Sid surprised me with Champion Led and Smartest on parade. We got a bit excited in the rider class, bucking doesn’t impress the judge,” Kirsty McKenzie said on Saturday.

Pixie was a hard-working little pony over the weekend. Owned by Kerry Ansley, she has been on loan to the next generation of Hamer family riders.

Judge Brown gives the thumbs up

The King Island Show has a long tradition of judges flying in for Show Day. Many return year after year and are authorities in their specialist areas and judge shows across the country.

The Pavillion attracts CWA judges from Tasmania and Victoria and, out in the field, livestock and event judges come from a variety of backgrounds.

Judge Katy Brown is from country Victoria and has been featured in magazine stories, ABC Landline, and judged at the Royal and regional shows and is a breeder. In blustery conditions, she was out on the Showgrounds course from 10am until 5.30pm on both Saturday and Sunday judging the horse class events. “I was privileged to judge at the King Island Show and had a lovely time”, Ms Brown said.

“Our pony stud ‘Senlac’ is 50 years old this year and I have a long history with mountain and moorland ponies. My interest in conservation breeding of rare breeds of animals extends to other species including pigs, sheep and cattle. I have served over the years as a Director of the Rare Breeds Trust, President of the Australian Pig Breeders Association, President of Huntly Pony Club and Highland Ponies Australia.”

The Rare Breeds Trust aims to conserve livestock breeds at risk of extinction due to mechanization and intensive farming. This includes cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and poultry breeds that have fallen out of favour for production reasons, or whose use has been replaced by machines. Breeds known for their hardiness, genetic robustness, temperament and mothering ability are dying out.

Ms Brown emphasises the importance of preserving these genetics for the future, as these breeds are best equipped to withstand environmental stressors. “I love coming to events like the King Island Show and in particular being with the younger club members. It is a pleasure to work with young people in agriculture and provide mentorship,” she said.

“I was particularly impressed with the camaraderie on King Island and thoroughly enjoyed meeting all the wonderful horse people. I saw some very brave little riders giving it their all and commend the Pony Club on its efforts… a shout out to Sharon Frosi, who makes a terrific toastie.”

State Government relief is on the way for drought-impacted King Island farmers.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced at the King Island Show immediate assistance – including up to $20,000 payment – for farmers who can demonstrate hardship.

Visiting the Island along with his team of endorsed Liberal candidates, Mr Rockliff said that he recognised that the island was facing a very serious situation. “There is no doubt that King Island is facing a serious drought situation, and I have heard first-hand from farmers just how bad things are,” he said.

“While we no longer officially declare regions in drought anymore, it is clear King Island is in drought and immediate assistance is required.

“The Department of State Growth will also urgently liaise with the three shipping companies that operate to King Island to undertake extra sailings to the Island to deliver the critical feed needed for livestock, and to take stock off the Island for slaughter or agistment elsewhere.

“Additionally, we will convene an urgent roundtable of farmers, shippers and processors to ensure the processing of King Island cattle is prioritised.”

“My government will also provide immediate assistance including payments of up to $20,000 to support farmers who can demonstrate hardship as a result of increased feed costs, freight costs, reduction in the value of livestock, recovery costs for pasture, restocking, and other expenditure that causes hardship as a result of this drought.

“I would like to assure King Islanders, that we will continue to work closely with you and should additional assistance be provided, we will provide that, too.”

“AN amazing opportunity” is how Macey Mullin described her experience at the recent Tasmanian Junior Beef Expo (TJBE).

Macey and Amelia Poulsen were both awarded a fully-paid trip to attend the 2024 TJBE after winning Champion and Reserve Champion in the cattle junior judging competition at the 2023 King Island show.

The girls thanked sponsors Raff Angus and The Aldridge Family, of Koreen Pastoral, for their generous sponsorship, and encouraged other King Island kids to give junior judging a go at the next Show.

The 8th annual Tasmanian Junior Beef Expo was held at the Deloraine showgrounds from February 23 to 25. The three-day youth camp is action packed, with participants completing various workshops including public speaking, EBVs and Genomics, biosecurity and hands-on activities, an onsite site carcass breakdown, cattle artificial insemination, flight zones, cattle fitting and grooming.

As well as the workshops, there were group and individual competitions where participants had the chance to showcase their skills in cattle handling and judging. “We loved how we were always busy and there was so much to do,” Macey and Amelia said.

The pair trained and prepared two 18-month-old Hereford heifers from Amelia’s own stud Bass Strait Poll Herefords and the cattle were sent down to the mainland the week before the event. The girls worked hard over the Christmas school holidays to have the cattle ready for the big event.

“It was definitely worth all the effort that we put into the heifers,” Macey said. This was Macey’s first time attending the TJBE and she took out fifth place in the hotly contested sub-intermediate junior judging class and her heifer Bass Strait, Trend, won third place in Heat 6 of the Bendigo and Rural Bank Allbreeds competition.

“The people were so nice and friendly, and I made some new friends. I will definitely be back; I can’t wait to do it again next year!” she said.

This was Amelia’s sixth time attending the TJBE and she exhibited her own Bass Strait, Tooty Fruity, and was sashed Reserve Champion Herdsman for the sub-intermediate group.

“The Expo just keeps getting better and better each year. I love catching up with all my friends and hanging out with my heifers. There are great prizes, and the food is fantastic,” Amelia said.

Many thanks should go to the incredible, hardworking committee, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters who make the TJBE possible. For the chance to win a sponsored trip to the 2025 TJBE, entrants can try their hand at cattle junior judging in the cattle ring at 10am on Show Day.

For more information contact Anita Poulsen on 0499 686 942.

KING Island District High School has appointed Matt Conn as the new acting principal.

While speaking with King Island Community Radio, Matt shared his fascinating journey, starting from his roots in Launceston, to his adventures around the world.

Born and raised in northern Tasmania, Matt’s passion for cycling led him to Belgium in the late ‘90s, where he lived in the Dutch-speaking part, near Ghent, immersing himself in the vibrant cycling culture.

The move was driven by his love for the sport and the opportunity to train with, and be inspired by, some of Belgium’s cycling legends. After Belgium, Matt taught in Peterborough, England, near Cambridge, and then ventured to Italy, where he spent ten years working in an international school.

His time in Italy was focused on work and family, with cycling taking a back seat. From Italy, Matt embarked on a new adventure in China, where he played a key role in establishing an international school in partnership with King’s College Wimbledon.

He found China’s highly valued education system and aspirational families both challenging and rewarding. The decision to return to Tasmania was influenced by the isolation experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Matt wanted to reconnect with his two older children and seek new opportunities. He briefly taught at Kings Meadows High School in Launceston before landing the role of school principal on King Island.

Despite his extensive travels, Matt found similarities between the close-knit communities he encountered abroad and the tight-knit community of King Island. He appreciates the supportive nature of small communities, where everyone knows each other and lends a helping hand.

As Matt settles into his new role, he brings with him a wealth of experience, a love for cycling, and a deep appreciation for the warmth and hospitality of the people he meets along the way.

His journey is a testament to the transformative power of education and the joy of embracing new experiences.

PICTURED: Rod Graham, left, Sonia Louis, Ruth McFadzean and David Munday shared their King Island artefacts and stories.

KING ISLAND GALLERY

launched its exhibition Locals Talk, which showcases local history and culture. Last Thursday’s balmy Summer evening attracted a strong crowd and included a group of visitors from Victoria, who said after the launch that they felt like they had experienced a small taste of King Island.

The launch highlight was the three guest speakers, who delivered their thoughts on the question: ‘what item or artefact do you have that you feel captures a part of life on King Island?’, with each offering a distinct response.

David Munday kicked things off with his reflection on how training and culture at King Island Scheelite helped make him the person he is today. David displayed two small samples of scheelite and recounted how the former King Island Scheelite invested and supported, not just workers but, the entire township of Grassy and in the process created a community that delivered a pay check as well as plenty of opportunities to learn and grow.

Follwing David was Ruth McFadzean, who began her talk by showing a small kelp vessel that held a small paper scroll. The scroll contained some wording relating to the first Festival of King Island held in 1994.

Ruth recounted the motivation behind this festival, and how she saw it as emblematic of people in the community getting organised to support one another.

Sonia Louis presented her original school case, complete with pencils and books. Sonia told a tale revolving around the school bus trips that she would take as a child.

As anyone who knows Sonia will expect, it was a humorous tale, but it also told of the raw excitement of local school kids when they met new arrivals to the island who were also using the bus. Rod Graham was an impromptu fourth speaker.

He presented the magnificent 1932 King Island Racing Cup trophy won by his father, two hickory golf clubs, also from his father, and a porcelain plate from his mother that depicted the gates and driveway to the family property.

Many thanks to King Island Distillery’s Heidi, who served fancy cocktails, and also to the small team of volunteers who prepared, curated and loaned items for the exhibition.