Show through the generations

For 68 years come hail, rain or shine I was privileged to report on the Dandenong Agricultural and Pastoral Society’s annual show, which is always a much looked forward to two-day event on the November calendar.
The show was always well attended by not only local residents and district farmers but visitors from interstate including judges of various sections.
This year’s show will be held this weekend at the Bennett Street show grounds on 9-10 November.
Plans are already well in hand to make the attractions the “best yet”.
The hard working and enthusiastic show secretary is Lynne Ferris.
Lynne is backed by an enthusiastic committee, including show president Margaret Weightman.
One of the time honoured features of the show has been the Lions Club of Dandenong caravan.
It is usually located just down from the Bennett Street entrance gate.
And it would not be the Dandenong Show without the popular animal nursery in the pavilion near the railway line.
I can recall in this pavilion also the sheep shearing and the ladies who demonstrated spinning and weaving with expertise.
Looking back I can also remember the stage in front of the pavilion where the judges sat to interview girls participating in the Miss Dandenong Showgirl competition.
If my calculations are correct, this year’s show is the Dandenong Agriculture and Pastoral Society’s 142nd annual show.
The 2001 show was particularly special with a theme celebrating the Centenary of Federation.
To mark the occasion the society awarded special sashes to the grand parade participants who supported the theme.
The schools’ art section also had a special class for posters depicting the theme.
For the first time, also, there was a farm inventions competition.
The winning entry was a safety ladder clamp.
Because I have not attended the show for some years now, I realise there will have been many changes and innovations, but one of the my favourite memories is of the spectacular grand parade, and of the area where the milking cows were located.
I especially loved visiting the friendly Jerseys.
When I was a girl growing up on my parents’ farm, Ryecroft at Lyndhurst, the Jerseys rated number one on my list of favourite farm animals for their mild and friendly natures.
Big boned friesians were much more aloof.
When I think of shows past I think of the popular poultry section, the food stalls and show bag stalls on the road to the administrative building, also the homecrafts and hobbies pavilion.
On a number of occasions I was delighted to be among the guests at the show committee’s dinner in the administrative building.
Sharply etched in my memory on show days is the vintage car display and on a hot day I can remember owners of the dogs from the obedience dog school laying on the grass with their canine companions, some sound asleep.
Show time in the greater city is certainly magical, as I’m sure a new generation of children will discover this coming weekend.
I look forward to seeing pictures in next week’s Journal of local residents and visitors enjoying all the fun of the fair.