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.
An icy bath tests Joseph Daniel.
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.
Little Miss Showgirl entrants all dressed up.
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.”
Whip cracking visitor Emmy Williams showed how it is done.
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.
Megan Chivers is amazed by the vegie varieties and quality in the pavillion.
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).
Ochre Health’s Strawberries and cream and Vokes apple juice a show hit.
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.
Rooster scaled 2.2 metres and equalled the show record he set last year.
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.