By BRIDGET SCOTT
AKOONAH Park was a scene of excitement last weekend when crowds of locals, and others from afar, flooded into the grounds for the 158th annual Berwick Show.
Organisers were thrilled to welcome record crowds to the event last weekend which oozed with variety and, according to president Tom Gibson, provided something for everyone.
Mr Gibson said the show’s wide range of events from wood chopping to truck pulls and show jumping to cattle competitions ensured there wasn’t one negative response to come out of the successful show.
“Everyone I spoke to was happy,” he said.
“There wasn’t one grumpy or dissatisfied person.”
There were significantly more people attending the show on the Sunday and Mr Gibson said organisers put the smaller attendance on the Saturday down to the poor weather.
Despite this, big numbers buzzed around the main arena on Saturday night which was “packed deep with people” for the fireworks that marked the end of the first day of the show.
Committee members and volunteers for the show were also touched to have members from the Weethalle show in New South Wales come along over the weekend.
This presence was a result of a 20-year long relationship between the two shows which was formed after members from the Berwick Show helped the people of Weethalle two decades ago when they were battling against drought.
A volunteer for 40 years and this year’s Casey Citizen of the Year, Bert Rae said the committee members from Berwick knew the New South Wales community was in dire straits and contacted the Agricultural Department to see how they could help.
Ever since this mercy mission, the two shows have maintained a strong relationship.
Mr Rae was one of many to welcome the guests to the show over the weekend, which was officially opened by Mr Gibson and Gembrook MP Brad Battin.
Mr Gibson said it was fantastic to see everyone out in the sun enjoying the weekend and that these sorts of events were worth the effort involved.
See page 32 for more of the fun and excitment at Akoonah Park last weekend.
