By PAUL MILLAR
A YEAR after the Eureka rebellion, Geelong began putting on its own show, capturing visitors with traditional pursuits alongside ever-changing attractions to keep up with the times.
Royal Geelong Show has been operating since 1855 but to organisers it’s still going from strength to strength.
Justine Chisholm said more than 100,000 visitors would make their way to the showgrounds for this year’s four-day carnival, with patronage growing each year.
Geelong’s economy would receive a major injection from the show as more people travelled in from the other side of Melbourne and interstate, she said.
“We’re well up on the horse entries, with 3500 registered (2800 last year), plus the dairy and sheep – it’s going through the roof.”
Ms Chisholm said the organisers were constantly working on innovative ideas as well as the traditional drawcards to keep the show fresh and inviting.
They had spiced up the event this year with acrobatic performers from Cirque Africa putting on their own show, she said.
“We’re always changing things, mixing it up. Everything gets crammed in over four days yet we have a venue that has the space, it fits in really well.”
Ms Chisholm said one of the new attractions this year was a 21-metre long fishing tank for experts to teach visitors casting techniques to land the big one.
The show began yesterday and finishes Sunday.
Meanwhile, Consumer Affairs Victoria said officers would attend today to conduct product safety inspections of showbags.
“The safety of Victorian children is paramount, which is why we enforce tough safety compliance standards on all toys sold in showbags,” a spokeswoman said.
“Each year Consumer Affairs Victoria inspects thousands of toys sold at the show and families can rest much easier knowing dangerous products are removed or modified before they see the light of day.”
