Crowds flock to Heathcote Show

ORGANISERS have declared the 2023 Heathcote Show a resounding success after more than one-thousand two-hundred and fifty people came through the gates on Melbourne Cup Day.

Show society president Alan Harris said he was pleased to see the crowds return after three successive years of cancellations.

“I think it went really well,” he said. “We had great weather, we had a good turnout and we had more entertainment options than we’ve had for a long time.

“I think that was a real positive, and people have missed the show for the last three years.”

Each year the show society organises several attractions and activities for children that are included with show admission.

“It’s a bonus having the motorbikes, the snakes, the ferret racing, Farmer Darryl and the puppets,” Mr Harris said.

“The yard dog competition is popular too, but it’s the whole spectacle of the show that creates a great atmosphere.”

Art and craft chief steward Marj Harris said entries were lower than usual as it was taking a while for people to start competing again after the pandemic.

“It’s been the same at other shows too,” she said. “But even though we haven’t had a show for four years we had a wonderful display of cut flowers and floral art, and we had a lovely shed of exhibits.

“Holy Rosary, Heathcote and Tooborac primary schools put up wonderful entries too.”

City of Greater Bendigo Eppalock Ward councillor Margaret O’Rourke said the show was important part of the Heathcote calendar and crowd numbers appeared good.

“There were lots of children there which was fantastic,” she said.