2020 Merino Fleece, Meat Sheep & Merino Sheep Judging State Finals

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Due to the 2020 ASA National Finals being postponed until 2021, VAS Ltd already has representatives for 2021 National Finals from the 2019 State Finals.

State Finals for the Merino Fleece, Meat Sheep & Merino Sheep Judging will be held in 2021 at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show, which is open to 15 years & under 25 years of age of the year of the State Final (2021) and must reside in Victoria. The winners of each State Final will represent Victoria at the 2022 ASA National Finals.

If you have participated in any of these competitions at your local Show in 2019/20 Show Season or may compete in the 2020/21 Show Season, VAS Ltd encourages you to aspire to compete in the 2021 State Finals.

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Regional Agricultural Show Development Grants Program Successful Applicants Announced

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Congratulations to all the Victorian Agricultural Shows that were successful in getting a Regional Agricultural Shows Development. For those that have missed out keep that project in the back of your minds hopefully for another round of grants into the future.

The following Victorian Agricultural Shows received a grant and click on the link to check out their project:
Bendigo Agricultural Show Society
Casterton P&A Show
Clunes & District Agricultural Society
Cohuna Show
Corryong Show
Euroa Show 2019
Foster Agricultural Show
Horsham Ag Society - 'Maydale Reserve' Horsham Showgrounds
Maffra Agricultural Show
Maldon Show
Natimuk Show
OMEO SHOW 2020
Traralgon & Districts Agricultural Society Inc.
Wangaratta Show
Yarram Agricultural Show
Yea Show

Click here to view the projects: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-…/infrastructure/ag-shows…

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2020 Royal Melbourne Show CANCELLED due to COVID-19

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Due to the continuing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, in particular the social distancing measures and mass gathering restrictions in place, The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) has made the decision to cancel the 2020 Royal Melbourne Show in the best interests of public health.

The RASV has proudly presented the Royal Melbourne Show since 1855. The Royal Melbourne Show has only been called off on two occasions in its 165-year history. First, when Melbourne Showgrounds was requisitioned for the war effort in 1915 and again in WWII between 1940-1945.

RASV Chief Executive Officer, Brad Jenkins, said the organisation was very disappointed to make this announcement but ensuring the health and safety of the community was paramount.

“The COVID-19 health crisis is unprecedented and the ongoing social distancing measures and mass gathering restrictions mean that in the best interest of public health, we are unable to plan and deliver the 2020 Royal Melbourne Show.”

“It was also important to decide on the Royal Melbourne Show now, as many sponsors, exhibitors and competitors spend months preparing for the Show. We also rely on hundreds of volunteers including committees, judges, stewards and more, who give their time so generously each year for the Royal Melbourne Show, many of whom take annual leave or time away from their farm”.

“We are fortunate to have an incredibly passionate and supportive community involved in the Royal Melbourne Show each year and during these uncertain times we wanted to give everyone as much notice as possible,’’ Jenkins said.

Today’s announcement follows the cancellation of the Adelaide Royal, Brisbane Ekka and Sydney Royal Easter Show earlier this year, all in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Royal Melbourne Show is Victoria’s largest and most iconic annual community event, attracting around 450,000 visitors over 11 days each year and contributes more than $244 million in value to the State of Victoria’s economy annually. 

“Importantly, the Royal Melbourne Show is a unique and valuable platform to promote and celebrate excellence in agriculture with thousands of agricultural exhibitors from rural and regional Victoria coming together at Melbourne Showgrounds.”

“While the gates won’t open this September, the RASV will continue to promote and celebrate food and agriculture, cultivate events and strengthen communities,” Jenkins said.

The RASV is exploring alternative opportunities to present some of the traditional and much-loved elements of the Royal Melbourne Show online in an all-new virtual experience along with creating new events and celebrations to support food and agricultural producers.

“We thank the Victorian community for their support and look forward to bringing everyone together to celebrate the Royal Melbourne Show when it returns bigger and better in 2021 from Thursday 23 September to Sunday 3 October at Melbourne Showgrounds,” Jenkins concluded.

https://www.rasv.com.au/about-us/news/2020-royal-melbourne-show-cancelled-due-to-covid-19/

2020 VAS Ltd Convention CANCELLED

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The Convention has been cancelled with the VAS Ltd AGM to be held at a later date which may not be until October onwards. This meeting will be combined with a Council meeting when social gatherings are able to happen again.

VAS has up to 5 months after the end of the financial year 31st March to have its AGM and extensions are being granted by Consumer Affairs Victoria due to the social gathering regulations. Lilydale was to host the 2020 Convention and the opportunity will be offered to them to host in 2021.

Carrot Cake & Carrot & Date Muffin Competitions – State Final to be held at the Royal Melbourne Show if this goes ahead at its normal time.

Junior Ambassador Award – Most likely combined with the final of the Rural Ambassador Award during the Royal Show.

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Show Highlights - Wodonga Show

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Our show was well attended, although I feel our numbers would have been down due to mainly the Coronavirus as our Show was held on the 14th March 2020.  This year we had both Chris Humfrey the Animal Trainer and Nicholas Dacomb, who did a high wire act and circus act which the children absolutely loved.  The RFDS Simulator was there also and with the Amusements we had, people seemed to have a great time.  

We took precautionary measures of having hand washing facilities at each gate together with soap and anti-bacterial liquids on hand for people to wash their hands regularly.  This seemed to work well. One of the highlights we had was a lady in a cow suit representing Maggie Moo.  The children loved her and she was dancing and  going on the rides with them - this seemed to be a big hit. She also gave out some Kiewa Chocolate Milk which had been donated. There was a lot of interest in the Young Farmers Challenge and we managed to get 1 Rural Ambasssador.  The show started at 9.00 and people were still coming in the gate at 3.00.  

For more photos jump onto our Facebook Page and check out all the fun at the Wodonga Show.

Show Highlights - Tyrendarra Show

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The Tyrendarra Agricultural Show has been run for the 103rd time and what a great show it was this year.  Crowd numbers were up, the entertainment provided was well received and the weather on the day was sensational.

 The Cookery section saw an increase on entries, with judges testing and tasting there way through in excess of 300 entries.  The Historical section had an amazing display of retro items which also saw great entry numbers in the classes and provided a great visual trip down memory lane for so many show goers. Cattle numbers that have been down in recent years saw a marked increase in both cattle and also young people participating in the section and with young people the future this was great to see.

With poultry this year’s feature we saw great numbers and enthusiasm from competitors and the general public.  The Craft and Fancy Work section also showed an amazing diversity of work, styles and materials being exhibited. With the weather for 2019/2020 being a little crazy, we saw a smaller Farm and Produce and Flower section but what was presented was of high quality.

We are finding as a show that we need to continue to advertise and while the traditional classes will be supported each year we need to constantly look to attract and encourage new participants and attendees to the show.  Our dedicated sectional stewards have been instrumental in thinking up new classes that are relevant to the times and appeal to people.  Farm and Produce section is a prime example, with the Honey section and egg emoji class in its second year having increased numbers and much interest from the public.

Social Media has again proven to be our cheapest form of advertising and also allows us to generate interest in specific classes or to offer guidance on class requirements.  It also provides us with a communication stream where people can message us questions and have them answered, this is not possible with Print, Radio or TV advertising.  Social Media also provided us with the ability to advertise for trade/market stands.  We had some great trade/market stand this year which along with our classes and the entertainment goes to make our little country show an event that people want to attend and participate in.

Anne Burley

President

Show Highlights - Foster Show

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Here is a recap on Foster Agricultural Show. VAS would like to congratulate the Foster Agricultural Show of conducting a successful Show after being in Recess in 2019. VAS would love to hear from the Shows about what were the highlights oshowhif your 2020 Show. Send it through to info@vicagshows.com.au with a few photos.

We are pleased to deem the 112th Foster & District Ag Show a success! Perfect weather, new competitions including a woodchop and on farm dairy challenges combined with the immense enthusiasm of our local community for the return of their agricultural show resulted in exceptional attendance rates.

Strong competition returned to the exhibit shed with 10-12 entries in both the VAS Fruit Cake and Carrot Cake competitions. Horse classes, HRCAV ring and showjumping in particular, had high participation rates and the dog high jump was a real crowd favourite with the grandstand overflowing with spectators. Nearly 250 free showbags were awarded for our inaugural “Golden Brick Road” challenge for kids.

The committee would like to thank all the businesses and individuals that supported the return of our show be it financially or simply for their attendance. We are excited to spend the next 12 months working towards a great 113th Foster & District Show to be held on Saturday 27th February 2021!