By Eleanor Wilson
Community spirit was out and proud at Akoonah Park over the weekend, as the 2023 Berwick Show impressed families and show enthusiasts near and far.
Show-goers eased their way into the showgrounds on Saturday morning for the 174th show and its first public show since the beginning of the Covid pandemic in 2020.
“The place was just buzzing, it was great to see and I’m so happy for the committee, they put so much work into the event and I’m so pleased their efforts were rewarded,” show president Warwick Glendenning said.
The Saturday schedule kicked off with the animal program, where sheep, cattle, alpacas, poultry and heavy and miniature horses put Berwick’s strong agricultural history on the main stage.
A light shower in the afternoon didn’t discourage families from the show’s evening activities, which saw audiences enthralled by daredevil act Freestyle Kings Motorbike Show, followed by the iconic gumboot throw and a series of outstanding local vocalists on the main stage.
The first day of the show ended with a vocal performance by Berwick local and celebrated country music singer Andrew Swift, followed by a spectacular fireworks display.
Show-goers were back at the gates bright and early for Sunday’s proceedings, where the show dogs were the centre of attention, with both the flyball tournament and dog championships a raging success.
“It was a magnificent dog show on Sunday, it was the first time we’ve had the dogs at Berwick for many years and they were still judging at 6.30pm Sunday night,” Mr Glendenning said.
Kids enjoyed an abundance of fun throughout the weekend, with rides, showbags, a LEGO exhibition, an animal nursery and free pony rides a few of the entertaining activities on offer.
The showjumping schedule, which was held at Werribee Park due to unsuitable ground quality at Akoonah Park, was also a success, Mr Glendenning said.
“We were fortunate enough to secure Werribee Park for the showjumping and in doing that we lost some local competitors, but we also picked up some competitors from the northern side of town, so it balanced itself out nicely.”
The show society is now looking toward the Open Horse Show, which will occur at Akoonah Park on Monday 13 March.
A new award was introduced into the cattle ring this year, which the Berwick Show Society committee coined the Murray Forsyth National Beef Female Classic.
Coinciding with the 40th anniversary of Ash Wednesday, the award was named in honour of Murray Forsyth, one of the six Narre Warren CFA members tragically killed in the fires.
Mr Forsyth was president of the Berwick Show Society committee in 1983, the year the fires ravaged through Upper Beaconsfield and Cockatoo.
Mr Forsyth’s family presented the award, which recognised the best female beef cattle exhibit from the weekend, to winners Katie and Cam McIntyre with Rang Rang Showgirl.
Mr Glendenning thanked the show’s volunteers and sponsors for their hard work in the lead up to the show.
He said the committee was grateful for the support of Akoonah Park staff who volunteered their time.
“Without the hard work of volunteers, it wouldn’t have happened – it’s a relentless job and we’re grateful for the support of some of the staff of Akoonah Park who gave their time tirelessly.”
Pictures: ROB CAREW
