March 27, 2018
The Goomeri Show was big on family entertainment this year, with fireworks and a movie scheduled on Saturday night to entertain the younger patrons.
But during the day, it was an ag show in earnest, with stud cattle, Young Judges competitions, equestrian events and a large dog show.
Unfortunately, the Stockman’s Challenge originally scheduled for Sunday had to be cancelled, as did the ute muster – but that didn’t stop visitors enjoying what was offer.
Horse and cattle entries were up and there were about 250 entries in the always keenly contested dog show.
Local studs, preparing their entries for Beef Week 2018 in Rockhampton, entered a strong line-up of cattle.
Supreme Champion Interbreed winner from the recent Murgon Show, “Bowenfels Special Edition”, repeated her success by taking out the top gong at Goomeri, sashed Supreme Female and Supreme Champion.
The Angus cow, with calf at foot, was shown by Glen Perrett from Glenrae Pastoral Company at Johnstown.
“Diamond Valley Matrix”, from Diamond Valley Brangus at Gatton, was sashed Supreme Bull.
The Young Judges competition, conducted for both Stud and Prime cattle, attracted a large number of junior and senior competitors.
Another hotly contested show category was in the Pavilion, with local children vying for honours in the “Decorated Arrowroot Biscuit” competition.
“These little kids are the ones that are going to keep the show running along in future years,” Show Society president Lyle Hasselbach said.
He said the competition had proven so popular that next year a category for adults might also be included.
The show was officially opened by ring announcer Len Jansan, from Maryborough, who has been coming to the Goomeri Show for more than 30 years.
Len paid special tribute to the entries in the showjumping competition, many who had travelled a long way to compete, and to the many volunteers who worked hard in the equestrian ring.
The movie, Cars 3, and free face painting – sponsored by BGA AgriServices Goomeri and the Holden family – proved a big hit with the kids in the evening.
Another highlight of the night was the auction of a chainsaw sculpture of “the wise old owl”, carved during the day by wood sculptor Shane Christensen, from Yandina.
