By Andrew Paloczi
THERE was plenty to keep everyone entertained at the Foster Show on Saturday, with pleasant weather adding to the occasion and around 3000 adults and 1000 kids coming through the gates.
Theresa Cicero laid claim to one of the more unusual honours for the day, triumphing in the newly introduced Spouse Shout competition, having made herself heard.
Sheaf tossing offered opportunities from novice level up, with Paul Sagasser’s 9.5m throw seeing him on top among the novices, while Andrew Peterkin’s winning effort in the Victorian Championships, held during the Show, was 12.5m.
Members of the ‘Best Yarn Society’ based in Mount Best, demonstrated their adeptness with various craft forms, Diny Slamet’s embroidered cushion winning a rosette and qualifying her to enter the Royal Melbourne Show.
Friends and fellow Society members Di Walker and Cathy Satchell-Wright also contributed impressive exhibits.
They were inspired as students of Gwen Young whose woven item of clothing from the late 1980s was on display at this year’s Foster Show.
Heinz Haselroither of Woorarra West belongs to the Corner Inlet Men’s Shed and proudly pointed out a stunning wooden bowl he created and for which he won first prize.
The ever-popular Andrew Noble demonstrated a different kind of woodworking technique outside, using his chainsaws and other tools to complete the creation of a goat before moving onto a black cockatoo.
Bunyip’s Casey Parker impressed in the fashion stakes, winning the ‘Best Outfit’.
“I like sewing,” she said, having created her winning look.
When it came to green thumbs, it was tough to go past the exploits of youngsters Alana and Liam Sage who won the Best Pumpkin Exhibit with their 85.9 kilo monster.
Crowds were again wowed by the exploits of superhero canines clearing seemingly impossible heights in the dog high jump, joint winners Adam and Winga reaching 271cm in the large dog section.
Piper and Biscuit were the pride of the smaller dog brigade.
As far as human activities were concerned, dancing was a hit, with Irish, Scottish and rock ‘n roll dancing all winners.
“That was something new this year and it had a constant crowd of people around it,” Foster and District Agricultural Society secretary Den Gilheany said.
She was pleased with the comments she heard from showgoers.
“It was generally positive feedback and people said there was so much new stuff and lots of additions to the show that added to it this year,” Den said.
She noted that some veteran Foster Show attendees praised the vibrancy of the 2024 version.
“We’re keeping a lot of the traditional stuff but adding some new things for people to go and look at each year.”
It doesn’t get much more traditional than woodchopping, a display of strength and skill that never fails to involve the audience.
The only disappointment was that all too soon the Foster Show was over for another year.
Horses a hit at Foster Show
LOCAL councillor Scott Rae was among those delighted to see the return of horses to the Foster Show on Saturday after ground works sidelined them last year.
There was an extensive program throughout the day, including competition for led and ridden horses, with show jumping getting the adrenaline flowing.
Foster’s Amy Foster, a member of Bennison Adult Riders Club near Port Franklin, was aboard seven-year-old Levi the Red Rocket, having owned him for four years.
“Once he’s out here he’s got his game face on,” Amy said after Levi completed the show jumping course.
She noted he can be hotheaded and displayed some attitude during the warm-up.
Brooke Paterson of Outtrim was another rider going over the jumps, in charge of Imoan Joshua, known simply as Josh.
“He gets very excited,” she said of his approach to the sport.
Highland Pony Beinn Kaldy Bheithir, or Bheithir for short, excelled in the Highland Pony section under the watchful guidance of Yinnar South’s Kayla Young who was aptly wearing a kilt.
Bheithir claimed a first place in class 305 Led Highland Pony Male, and Champion Highland Pony status.
Interesting stories at the poultry shed
TOORA’S Louisa Vale had a special connection to the Indian Runner ducks she was showing at the Foster Show, with their bloodline extending back exactly 100 years, introduced by her great-great-grandfather in 1924.
“They’re egg-laying birds, not for meat,” Louisa said, adding that the eggs are popular with Italians, being amazing for making pasta.
“They’ve got a much stronger flavour than chook eggs so you wouldn’t have one on toast,” Louisa explained.
Poultry Steward Kara Oxley was accompanied by gorgeous nine-week-old dachshund Daisy when the Sentinel-Times was introduced to one of the family’s impressive roosters, a Partridge Brahma who goes by a nickname not publishable in a family paper.
“The kids help feed him, but they’ve got their own breeds (to show),” Kara said, with showing poultry clearly a family passion.
As a steward, she’s involved in meetings and grant applications and spoke about her role on Show Day.
“I help people put their birds in the right spots and help the judge when it’s judging time,” Kara said.
Some new cages were introduced for this year’s Foster Show, enhancing the already popular poultry display.
