King Island Show was a great success, despite every type of weather possible being thrown at showgoers – except maybe snow.
Islanders rugged up and took cover as the squalls passed through and caught up with friends, neighbours and those they hadn’t seen for a while.
The conditions didn’t seem to worry the children who embraced every category of entry and competition on offer.
There were show bags and side show alley, food stalls and prizes to be won and it was King Island’s own public holiday.
After Covid caused many regional show cancellations in the past couple of years including the 2022 King Island Show, the 67th King Island Pastoral Agricultural Horticultural Society Inc – King Island Showis one of the earliest in the year to kick off the Tasmanian Show calendar.
The day showcases 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. Despite the weather, the community came out and supported the event.
For the first time horse events were held the previous Saturday with a gymkhana on Sunday. The numbers may have been down on past years, but the enthusiasm was as strong or even stronger given the conditions. The attendance exemplified the King Island community solidarity in getting behind the event organisers and recognised the importance of shows in rural and regional areas. The cattle entries were lower than past years, as were the Pavilion entries, however the range and quality was as high. Young and older eagerly looked for that First, Second or Commendation card in the produce, makers, growers and creators Pavillion. There was excitement at seeing a Rosette or Special Award.
The People’s Choice art award went to Aruba Blackie, The Thelma Crack Memorial Trophy to Anita Poulsen and the Anne Conley Memorial Prize to Val McGarvie. Anita Poulsen also won the Jean Rozer Memorial Award for a Novice (the winner being a first year exhibitor and decided by a panel of CWA judges.)
Each of the demonstration activities drew in the spectators and CJ Puppetry entertained young and old. Pets were dressed and paraded, but the Boot throwing, whip cracking (even the member for Murchison Ruth Forrest displayed her skill in cracking the whip), Butch Brown Memorial Fun Run around the racetrack and the ever-popular dog jumping caused laughter, camaraderie and competition.
This year, Rooster broke the show dog jumping record, scaling 2.2 metres. The juniors who entered the Junior cattle Judges competition took it very seriously. The final awards went to Amelia Poulsen Champion Junior Judge and Macey Mullin Reserve Champion Junior Judge. The competition was open to any junior interested in agriculture. The two winners will be sponsored to attend the Tasmanian Junior Beef Expo to experience show cattle handling.
As the pack down began, the rains came again and after the excitement of winning a category or receiving an encouragement award, there will be many weary children who will be thinking of next year and the Show Committee can be pleased that they have been successful in their 2023 aim of encouraging children to enter and participate.
If you took photos enter them in the Show Day Photo Competition email to kishow. secretary@outlook.com or by tagging King Island Show on Facebook or Instagram.