The 138th annual exhibition of the Omeo and District Show has taken place and in every way, hailed a success.
The weather was fine, the township’s accommodation was filled and the crowds
were seen flocking into the show grounds on both days.
“The dry and windy weather leading up to the show led to some concern that exhibitor numbers and participation would be down, but how wrong that opinion was,” president of the show society, Graham Symons said.
“Producers still managed to bring their finest wool, best blooms and good spirits, taking their wins and losses evenly.”
Sponsor of the inaugural Bob Kelly Whip Cracking Encouragement Award Simone Kelly said “in a true display of kindness, Jake Pendergast who won our family’s trophy and the Open Whip Cracking WJ Toland trophy, handed the trophy onto Sylvia Connley and said she deserved it more than he did.”
“The committee members, stewards and volunteers worked hard for days prior, preparing their pavilions then working long into Friday night, for judging and presentation,” Graham said.
“The show grounds looked full, with thanks to stall holders including our council, emergency services and businesses, while local sheep producers were busy delivering their sheep for the shearing and yard dog competitions.”
The quick shears competition kicked off Friday evening, with Bailey Crisp from Swifts Creek winning overall.
Launching a new event at the quick shears this year, wood chop steward Ashley Estcourt said “our new event is tagged the ‘lamb-chop-challenge’ with shearers versing wood choppers to finish first. The shearers just finished ahead of the wood choppers”.
“The wood chop competition will not get axed from this show,” Mr Estcourt said.
“If anything, we’ll be the last blocks to be chopped.
“Nine classes were run in Omeo including the Lou Pendergast Memorial Novice Underhand, won by Tim Miller, the Ladies, won by Wendy Lavell, Veterans and the traditional Cross Cut.”
Saturday’s Great Alpine shears competition
was fiercely contended, with the intermediate class won by local man Jack Batty from Swifts Creek. It was well attended and went long into the afternoon.
An increase of 200 plus exhibits were entered in the main pavilion, a total of 763 exhibits received across 110 classes.
The major prize winners this year included Kathy Morgan winning the Noel Pendergast Memorial Trophy for the most points across jams, preserves and cookery sections.
Evelyn Fitzgerald won the best exhibit/Thelma Pendergast Memorial Award in the primary school section and Michelle Tibballs won best exhibit in open cookery/Marita Mills
Memorial Award.
Coleen Thomas won the inaugural High Country CWA trophy for the best exhibit in jams and preserves for her lemon butter.
“The high level of competition took us by surprise this year, proving just how important the Show is to people in our district,” main pavilion manager Sandi Beltrame said.
“A large field of children contested show person, with Charlie Domegracia, Mia Flannagan, Mary Jane Cook and Arle Kewish taking firsts in their particular age groups.”
The fleece pavilion again displayed the high standard of fleece that is produced in the district with the champion fleece in show being awarded to Alan and Noeleen Smith from Innisfail.
“Thanks to wool growers, we ended up with three bales of wool this year, a new record,” manager of the charity wool bale program, Belinda Smith said.
“Proceeds of their auction will be donated to the Latrobe Valley Base, Helimed 1 Auxiliary who provide a valuable emergency service.”
The yard dog trials ran late into the afternoon given the quality entries.
The local Harry and Olga Morgan Memorial Trophy was won by Indi Ah Sam and dog Ted.
The dog high jump competition, sponsored by The Manse Omeo saw dogs jump a height of almost two metres.
“The horse arena looked the best it has in
years” Dallas Golby, show jumping judge and steward said.
The stock horse ring had a huge increase in competitors also, leading to the ring being split and requiring its stewards, judges, riders and mounts to go well into the afternoon.
The champion ridden Australian stockhorse
was won by Stewart Moroney on his mount Sim Park Forest.
“In the jumping ring, Erin Lee won the 50cm Anne Armit Junior Local District Jumper and Emily Pendergast won the 70cm WD & WFG Armit Perpetual Cup,” Dallas continued.
In the local district ring, Imogen Fitzgerald on Ollie was awarded the Rusty Connley Memorial District Rider (under 18yrs) and Xavier Connley riding Dimi, was awarded the Mr and Mrs Harry Morgan Memorial District Ridden Pony (14hh and under), to name a few.
Planning is underway for the 2026 Omeo and District Show for November 13 and 14 and the committee is promising something new.
For all the results, head to the Omeo Show’s
web page.
