Show societies’ social side

A PROUD display of collegiality between north and western Victorian agricultural and show societies was exhibited last month.

The Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society hosted the Annual Midlands Group Dinner, Competitions and Judging.

More than 100 representatives from the Midlands Group, which is made up of agricultural and show societies from Ballarat, Clunes, Kingston, Daylesford, Beaufort and Maldon, attended the dinner at the Ballarat Showgrounds and Events Centre at Mount Rowan.

During the dinner at the centre’s South Pavilion, more than 100 entries across 30 categories were judged.

The categories of items and efforts that were judged included arts and craft, cooking, photography, floral, Senior Rural Ambassador and Junior Show Ambassador.

Displays and entries were placegetters from the shows across the Midlands Group.

Winners from last month’s dinner would progress to state finals level at either the Victorian Agricultural Shows State Conference in Wangaratta in June or the Melbourne Royal Show in September.

“The evening was very well attended and competitions were fiercely contested,” Belinda Glass, Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society’s executive director said.

“But alongside the friendly rivalry in the room there was a proud display of support for competition winners from all show societies.

“BAPS was pleased to host this year’s annual dinner, competitions and judging while also taking advantage of the opportunity to showcase our new facilities.”

James Troup, from the Beaufort Agricultural Society and Show, was named Senior Rural Ambassador.

Max Henderson-Drife, representing the Clunes and District Agricultural Society, was announced as the Junior Show Ambassador. Ballarat’s Laura George was named runner up in the category.