FOR more than three decades, thousands of people from around the world have descended on Tatura for International Dairy Week (IDW), the largest annual dairy conference and sale in the southern hemisphere. IDW is nationally and internationally recognised as being amongst the top five cattle shows in the world, beginning as a Holstein show and sale and an all-breeds youth show in 1990. Until 1996, judging was held under the shade of a large gum tree and by the year 2000, the first stage of a $2.6M upgrade to facilities was completed, including a new arena and improved cattle wash and housing, which are still used today. This same year, the first dairy animal from Australia was sold to the USA at the jersey sale. It is one of many milestones in agricultural success derived from IDW.
a Tatura legend, long-time Rodney Shire and Greater Shepparton councillor and Order of Australia Medal recipient in 2018, Kevin ‘Gunna’ Ryan, said the development at Tatura Park was his proudest achievement. “It started off with a caravan park with a couple of cattle yards. And, to see what it is now, you know, we can park 1,000 vehicles on-site now.”
In 2020, it was announced that the Tatura Park Exhibition and Equestrian Complex would change its name to the “Kevin ‘Gunna’ Ryan Outdoor Arena”, with the new signage erected earlier this year.
“We’ve built it up over the years with the help of volunteers, and it’s not just about parking for events like Dairy Week, but it’s a multipurpose facility now. It’s used for anything from dog trials to horse shows and motorbike events. It’s a real community asset and knowing that I’ve had a hand in making that happen, is something I’m pretty chuffed about,” he said.
“International Dairy Week is probably the largest of the events that are held at TatPark, and it is the third largest dairy show in the world, only beaten by Canada and the United States, and it continues to grow.
“The income from Dairy Week and TatPark is not just for Tatura, but benefits the wider area,” Kevin explained, with local businesses and even businesses as far as Cobram supplying equipment to IDW. “People even come to Dairy Week one day early so they can go to Shepparton, go shopping and have a look around Shepparton. They come from all over Australia.”
International Dairy Week runs annually at Tatura Park in January. 2025 will mark the 35th anniversary of IDW.