By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
A YEAR’S worth of preparation for one weekend – welcome to the Berwick Show.
The anticipation for this year’s 169th show was palpable as crowds gathered everywhere throughout Akoonah Park to immerse themselves in everything the three-day event had to offer.
The official opening made way for a bevy of motorbike stunt driving, which served as only one part of the entertainment available to those who came to the show.
The sheds and surrounding paddocks were full with sheep, cows and alpacas, while horses could be spotted everywhere.
Country music was heard almost continually from the music stage as guests wandered from one stall to the other, able to buy everything from show bags to donuts to slushies.
This year the produce paddock, nestled in the heart of the park, was another highlight.
The official opening was held at noon at which representatives from the show committee, local MPs and councillors all recognised the importance of the Berwick Show.
“It’s my 38th show so I’ve missed one in my lifetime, not a bad effort,” Gembrook MP Brad Battin said at the opening.
“The Berwick Show is something that’s so important to our local community.
“Seeing our volunteer groups get the recognition they deserve for everything they do.”
Mr Battin warmly congratulated this year’s show president Debbie Akister and her family, in particular her father John Byron, for passionately volunteering at the show repeatedly over the past half century.
“They say you can judge a person by the way their kids end up and John, you should be very proud of everything you’ve done,” Mr Battin said.
“I’m going to introduce a man I respect and look up to and someone that Berwick should be exceptionally proud of for having for so many years.”
Debbie Akister and her sister, Vicki Hamilton, the president of the Maffra Show last October, made history this year.
“That’s the first time ever in the history of the Victorian Agricultural Society that two sisters have been president in the same year,” Ms Akister said.
“Maffra is a huge show, just like this. Neither one of us knew we were going to be presidents together.”
Casey Mayor Mick Morland said this year’s event was his 20th show.
“The Berwick Show is a public event for our community, we have about 20,000 people turn up every year,” he said.
News photographers ROB CAREW and DONNA OATES were at the Berwick Show all weekend to capture the action.
