Make over for sheep expo

THE Ballarat Sheep Show is being relaunched and rebranded in a new format at the Ballarat Showgrounds on Sunday, 23 June.

The one-day event will be known as the Victorian Sheep Show. Lucy Quartermain, Executive Officer, Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society said the show needed to be revamped how as it wasn’t attracting numbers.

“We believe the new format under the Victorian Sheep Show banner will do that,” she said.

“We purchased the naming rights and decided to run with it.”

The Victorian Sheep Show opens the season in Ballarat, with the Australian Sheep show in Bendigo a couple of weeks later followed by Sheepvention in Hamilton.

“We have a new logo highlighting what we refer to it as the five f’s, fibre, food, fashion and farm festival,” Ms Quartermain said.

“We will have wine tastings and hot lamb rolls on offer,” she said.

Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society  sheep committee Chair Jonathan Tischler said he is looking forward to offering more in the way of things to see and do.

There will be merinos and long and short wool breeds presented on the mats for judging.

“We hope to attract fans of woollen fashion, food and fibre as we look to showcase stall holders and products,” he said.

Woollen designers including Homie, Branberry and Interknit, Merino Snug, La Sierra Alpaca and the Creswick Woollen Mills will have their garments and knitwear on display in the pavilion.

The President’s Breakfast, a new initiative sponsored by Sinclair Meats and Bean Me Up Mobile Espresso kicks off at 7.30am.

Early bird visitors will enjoy a hearty breakfast while hearing guest speaker Suzanne Lewis, from SL Farmer Wellness, talk about mental health and wellness.

Proceeds from the breakfast will be donated to the Ballarat Foundation.

The Ballarat Alpaca Show showcasing various Victorian alpaca breeders will be in a separate pavilion at the show grounds.

Victorian Sheep Show and Ballarat Alpaca Show is at the Ballarat Showgrounds Creswick Road Wendouree on Sunday, 23 June from 9am to 4pm. Free Entry. Further information available at ballaratshow.org.au.