By Luke Voogt
Royal Geelong Show entrants have urged locals to get behind the annual agricultural event to keep it “thriving”.
Lisa Smith encouraged her daughters Irma and Arielle to enter after moving to Gherang in April.
Contributing to the show helped promote the region’s farmers, she said.
“And it encourages the girls to learn skills like photography and cooking.”
Arielle entered blueberry muffins, cornflake slice, octopus-themed cupcakes and photos of her horse Jimmy in her first Royal Geelong Show.
The avid baker and photographer won awards at a few Bendigo shows before her family moved.
“I hope I go well,” she said.
The 12-year-old was at the showgrounds on Wednesday as judging commenced and crews set up stalls and rides.
“There was lots going on and it was very bright and colourful,” she said.
Rain dampened the start of the show on Thursday morning but failed to deter local school groups, organiser Vanessa Wight said.
“It’s really great to see all the young ones coming through. The weather’s looking very good for the rest of the show.”
Vanessa was pleased with the number of entries and thanked the judges.
“The man hours that the volunteers put into the show is amazing – it would not run without them,” she said.
The show’s committee promoted “30 free things to do” in the lead up to the event including racing pigs, live music and the donkey derby.
“The committee have showed a great deal of resilience through difficult times and we’re heading in a direction that’s really exciting,” Vanessa said.
