By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
DANDENONG Show regulars can expect a revamped, free animal nursery this year.
In the words of organiser Kate Reedy, the nursery has “entered the 21st century”.
The main differences are a more open, renovated home with more pens open for children to hug and cuddle about 40 of their favourite young chickens, ducks, rabbits, sheep, goats, guinea pigs and other farmyard regulars.
The attraction for many children is they haven’t handled such animals before.
“It’s hands on and 100 per cent free,” Ms Reedy says.
Under the same roof will be sheep shearing, Angola goats shows and other demonstations.
The regular guess-the-weight of an adult cow competition also returns, with the winner taking home $50.
The Reedy family has a four-generation association with the show – three of those generations being past show presidents.
Kate used to herself enter horses for exhibition, her mother and grandmother submitting pancakes and sponges in the cake sections.
She has witnessed many changes at the show over the past 40 years.
One has been the lesser emphasis on animals and handcrafts in favour of the “commercialised” rides and showbags.
But perhaps this year’s bigger animal nursery will help redress that balance for the remainder of this century.
