THE show must go on, but without new volunteers the Kerang Show’s future is uncertain.
The Kerang and District Agricultural Society hopes the community will get on board and fill committee positions at its annual general meeting on Wednesday, March 15.
Show secretary Lorraine Morris said that with long-time members retiring from the committee, new members were required.
“This will bring fresh ideas and allow the Show to continue into the future,” she said.
“All new members will be mentored and if people are hesitant you will be fully supported to learn what a show entails.
“It’s a seven-month process of planning and organising, but many hands make light work.
“We are all getting older – one just turned 90 last year and he said this would be his last year of helping … you can’t blame him.”
It’s anticipated that Gannawarra Council will make a decision at the next scheduled council meeting, on March 15, if the Melbourne Cup public holiday is moved a month early to October to coincide with the local event.
Gannawarra Council received a request in July last year from the Kerang and District Agricultural Society to move the Cup Day public holiday from November 1 to Kerang Show day on October 3.
However, no change was made because the request came after the 90-day requirement outlined in the Public Holidays Act 1993.
The Act provides non-metropolitan councils an opportunity to change the Cup Day public holiday to an alternate day or two half-days.
A report was presented to council at its October meeting, considering various possible steps.
It was recommended council undertake community engagement to help determine options for the Kerang Show scheduled for Monday, October 9, 2023.
As part of the community engagement, residents could have their say on a number of options, including:
• A full-day public holiday on Melbourne Cup Day across the municipality.
• A full-day public holiday on Kerang Show day across the municipality.
• A full-day public holiday on Kerang Show day within the Kerang area, and a full-day public holiday on Melbourne Cup day for the remainder of the municipality.
• A half-day public holiday for the Kerang Show day and Melbourne Cup day.
Ms Morris said without a declared public holiday on show day, the committee was unable to attract enough volunteers to help organise the show.
“We are hoping for a very favourable outcome. All of this depends if we can have a show,” she said.
“A lot of people are saying yes to a show holiday, but apparently quite a few are favourable to the Melbourne Cup day.
“This year in October it will be our 137th show – the oldest event of our community – support is needed to keep Kerang Show continue into the future.
“Several years ago, the council granted the public holiday for the Melbourne Cup and when that time expired, which was last year, the show would receive that holiday for the same number of years.
“Each year at least 80 volunteers are required to stage the show.
“We do have people who are willing to help, but due to no holiday, we are unable to continue without volunteers starting early in the morning to receive entries.”
The neighbouring Cohuna Show is held on the Friday night and Saturday.
Mr Morris said the society would have to go through the “rigmarole” of trying to change the event to a weekend.
The annual standalone poultry auction and show and shine, which the show society auspice for insurance reasons, could be at threat if the show was put on hiatus.
“The show is an outing for families and for farmers, especially, to showcase their agriculture produce and for talented locals to display their pavilion entries,” Ms Morris said.
“We put on good entertainment for the children.
“Especially after the floods and having to cancel some of the show last year, it’s a vital part of the community.”
The AGM will be held at the Park Road show office at 7.30pm. Supper will be provided.
