By Sarah Knight
HER Excellency, Governor-General Sam Mostyn AC was warmly welcomed at the opening ceremony for the 150th annual Shepparton Show on Friday, October 9, as the community celebrated the milestone event.
The event brought together local Members of Parliament, new Mayor Geoff Akers and former Mayor Shane Salit, along with invited guests, volunteers and community leaders for an official opening program celebrating one of the region’s longest-running agricultural traditions.
The official party assembled in front of the grandstand before the program opened with an MC welcome, followed by an address from Shepparton Agricultural Society president Kevin Winch. The RAAF Ceremonial Band and vocalist performed the National Anthem before the Governor-General delivered the official address and formally opened the show.
Long-service committee certificates were acknowledged before the unveiling of the 150th anniversary commemorative patchwork quilt and the cutting of the celebration cake.
Volunteer certificates were also presented across several sections, with Sam Birrell MP attending the livestock sections, Kim O’Keeffe MP the arts and craft pavilion, The Hon Wendy Lovell MLC the horticulture section, and Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell MP the miniature horses and ponies section.
Mr Sali commented that the anniversary continued to serve an important opportunity to showcase the region’s strengths and that this was the key catalyst for his request for the Governor-General’s attendance at the event.
“Celebrating 150 years of the Shepparton Agricultural Show is an incredible milestone,” he said.
“While in Canberra earlier this year, I personally invited Her Excellency to join our community for the celebrations.”
He said the show represented the best of the region, from its agricultural industry to the volunteers who make the event possible each year.
Photo: Emma Harrop
“I wanted Her Excellency to see those strengths and join us in recognising the contribution the show has made to our community over the last 150 years,” he said.
Following the official proceedings, VIPs and guests attended a refreshment break before assembling for the ‘Showdown at the Show’, featuring local Members of Parliament and invited community leaders.
The Governor-General said she was pleased to accept the invitation to visit Greater Shepparton and celebrate the milestone with the community.
The visit formed part of Her Excellency’s regional program, which also included the Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence and the Strathbogie Ranges communities worst affected by the catastrophic fires that burned last summer.
