The Foster Show attracted approximately 5,035 visitors on Saturday 28 February, with 1,700 children and 3,335 adults enjoying a jam-packed day of family entertainment, competitions and agricultural displays.
Show secretary Denia Gilheany said she was thrilled with the outcome of the day. “The weather held off and it was great to see so many local families visiting the show and competing in competitions.”
The event recorded over 2,400 entries across the exhibit shed, horses, chickens, cattle, fashions, mullets and on-farm challenges, with record numbers in several categories including 130 birds in the poultry section and 315 photography entries.
The highlight Back to Back Wool Challenge saw the Koorooman Sapphire Ewes shave over nine minutes from their previous year's time, turning sheep fleece into an adult-size jumper in 11 hours and 26 minutes.
The sheep and wool theme carried through other sections of the show with strong knitting and crochet entries in the exhibit shed and excellent art representation, especially from local schools.
The inaugural "Is It Cake" competition was won by Imogen Law with her Merry People Boot cake, while the heaviest pumpkin, grown by Steele and Clancy Dobson, weighed in at 66 kilograms.
The SG Offroad Ferret Racing Cup was won by "Sunshine North," bought by Megan Tung, who also judged the Calf Classic.
Blake DeGraff won the mullet competition, showing great personality during the final against all placegetters. The fashion competition attracted 38 competitors while 28 entered the mullet contest.
Foster local Lyndon Bath continued her 15 to 20-year tradition of success at the show, entering a winning fruit cake, Yo-Yo biscuits, lemons and onions.
"I just like the challenge," Ms Bath told the Sentinel-Times, explaining that stewards pass on feedback from judges, helping her fine-tune future entries.
There were 22 ANZAC biscuit entries and 11 VAS fruit cakes in the competition.
Gary the Goat was judged the pet with the prettiest eyes by South Gippsland Shire Mayor Nathan Hersey, with handler Kelarny Leeworthy of Port Welshpool dressing up to ensure she and Gary made an eye-catching pair.
In cattle judging, Cheryl Hedger took charge of two winning Belted Galloways, with "Jalaway What a Lad" winning the bulls under 12 months section and Jalaway Mont Vantasari triumphing in a heifer class.
Yard dog trials remained popular entertainment, with Brad Gavenlock of Tallygaroopna competing with three dogs including kelpie "Cheque."
Toongabbie's Glen Gillam demonstrated high-class woodchopping, severing his log in just 14 blows to comfortably win, while his fellow competitors needed more than 20.
