Agriculture show remembers Bellarine’s farming history

ALONG with tossing a gumboot, riding a pony and watching a dog jump, the focus of this year’s Bellarine Agriculture Show activities will be market garden equipment and chopping wood.

Held at Portarlington Recreation Reserve on Sunday March 11, the show will pay homage to the Bellarine’s agricultural industry base, which was established back in the days of the first European settlement.

Due to its close proximity to the Melbourne market, many market gardeners set up on the peninsula suppling fresh vegetables.

The vegetables could be picked and sent by “steamer” across the bay to go on sale at the Melbourne markets.

Before the days of rail or fast road connection the “steamer” crossing the bay was the perfect solution.

The vegetable crops grown in the area varied between corn, carrots, peas, potatoes and onions.

The “Bellarine onion drill” was invented it 1877 by James Grieve of Drysdale.

Another rural activity conducted on every farm was the cutting of wood.

Firstly, for clearing the land for crops to be planted, timber cut for the construction of building and posts for fencing, and firewood.

Farmers and their workers first started cutting timber by hand with axes and saws, then with the development of steam power and the combustion engine larger scale timber cutting could be done with lower amounts of labour required.

Other things to do at the family-friendly event include, riding a mechanical bull, getting your face painted for free, listening to music, and seeing and interacting with native animals such as wombats, dingos, crocodiles, snakes, turtles, frogs, and owls at the mobile zoo.

Entry costs: family pass $25, adults $10, concession $5, and under 5 free.

Visit bellarineshow.com.au for more information.