Memorial Park was the hot spot at the weekend for the annual Deniliquin Show.
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The mercury reached a top of 37°C but it wasn’t the only heat that was a hot topic for show-goers.
A fire breathing display by Australian circus icon and vaudeville impresario Roy Maloy amazed the show crowds, while outback stockman Lachie Cossor wowed with his skills.
The scorching heat meant ‘slushies’ were the drink of choice for many at the show as they tried to beat the heat.
Official figures are still being collated, however Deniliquin Pastoral & Agricultural Society director/treasurer Dawn Morris is confident the show will at the least ‘‘break even’’.
‘‘The gate was down on other years but that could be due to the heat,’’ she said.
‘‘Hot weather generally stops some people from attending, but unfortunately that’s something we can’t control.
‘‘I feel as though this year was 100 per cent better than the last three or four shows.
‘‘Lachie Cossor put on an outstanding performance which everyone enjoyed, and Roy Maloy was just fantastic.
‘‘The pavilion was excellent again and the show amusements had a lot more for the kids this year.
‘‘Despite the hot weather we’ve had very good feedback from people who attended the show, and that’s a huge positive.’’
Mrs Morris said the mixture of traditional show events and new activities helped encourage people out of the airconditioning and to the family-friendly event.
‘‘We had a good number of exhibitors for the weekend, both local and visiting, which was great,’’ she said.
‘‘The Showman’s Guild had plenty for the young ones and there were also lots of activities for the adults.’’
The shearing was a hit again this year show, with a good number of entries and crowd numbers for both the quick shear on Friday night and the Riverina Shearing Championships on Saturday.
Traditional events like livestock judging, the Australian Flora and Fauna themed pavilion and the horse events also attracted good numbers.
There was also facepainting, balloon animals, woodchopping demonstrations, an animal nursery, static displays and the popular sideshow alley to keep the crowd entertained.
The Saturday night of the three day event ended with an amazing fireworks display, with the show officially ending with the final horse events on Sunday.
‘‘All in all it was a great weekend, and I thank everyone who helped make it possible,’’ Mrs Morris said.
‘‘Even though the farmers are doing it tough with the drought we still had great numbers for our livestock and sheep judging.
‘‘The beef cattle section had over 30 head. We haven’t had that number for quite a few years.
‘‘Considering what the farming community is going through, it was such a great effort for them to get involved with the show.
‘‘It’s our 140th anniversary next year so we’re hoping to go bigger and better in 2020.’’
NSW Member for Murray Austin Evans presented the annual pavilion and perpetual trophy awards.
Young Isabel Pearn was the big winner on the day, claiming two trophies for her efforts.
Isabel won the Joan Allitt Memorial Trophy, an aggregate trophy encouragement award for most successful exhibitor 12 years and under in junior cookery, as well as the Boobook CWA Champion Junior Cook Trophy.
Other trophy winners were:
Mona Kerr Memorial Trophy for most outstanding exhibit in wool craft, needlework, handcraft and fine arts – Linda Maher.
Dr Ian Harper Memorial Trophy for most outstanding exhibit in food and cookery, jams and sauces, horticulture and floral art – Mark Plant.
Doreen Lawson Memorial Trophy for the best article of crochet in wool craft – Janice Whyborn.
Mary Allitt Perpetual Trophy for the best article in wool craft – Betty Murray.
Malcolm and Judith Burge Memorial Trophy for the most outstanding exhibit in photography – Bob Johnson.
Kay Oldham Memorial Trophy for the most outstanding junior needlework exhibit – Chloe Macknight.
Frances Langman Memorial Trophy – Lily Petersen.
Robyn Mott Memorial Trophy, an aggregate for junior cookery – Georgie Butcher.
Dr Paul and Family Award for most successful exhibitor aggregate over the Mona Kerr section – Heather Fleming.
Frank Fisicaro Memorial Trophy for most outstanding exhibit in farm and garden produce – Deniliquin South School.
■More photos and results from the weekend’s show are on pages 5 and 6. More results will appear in Friday’s edition.