LONG before he stood behind a microphone calling poultry lots by the hundred, Kerang’s Geoff Davey was just a kid tagging along to the Melbourne Show, wide-eyed at the sight of ribbons, sheep, and spectacle.
“I always went with my parents,” he recalled.
“Dad used to show down there. I suppose I just got the bug early.”
That “bug” turned into a lifetime commitment — one woven with grit, humility, and an unwavering love for the agricultural show scene.
Now, after more than three decades of behind-the-scenes work, Mr Davey has been recognised with one of the highest honours a regional show society can give: life membership.
“Very, very surprised,” he said of the recent accolade from Kerang and District Agricultural Society.
“You don’t do these things to get awards.
“I’ve been involved in the show society for a long, long time, but I certainly wasn’t expecting anything like that.”
Mr Davey’s story with the show society began sometime in the early 1990s, although by then, he was no stranger to the scene.
“I started showing sheep and Clydesdales in 1986,” he recalled.
“Then they approached me to be a steward in the sheep section, and a few years later, they asked me to join the committee.”
From steward to committee member and eventually president for two stints, Mr Davey has worn many hats over the years.
In total, he served four years as president.
It was, he said, a natural progression from a childhood steeped in agricultural shows.
“I’ve just always been keen on shows,” he said.
“Even though the Melbourne Show’s changed a lot over the past few years, back then it was something I looked forward to every year.”
The passion for the show life ran deep for Mr Davey – and still does, particularly in the realm of poultry.
One of his proudest achievements has been growing the society’s annual poultry auction.
What started about 30 years ago with just 28 pens now draws hundreds of entries and buyers from across the region.
“That’s probably one of my passions,” Mr Davey said.
“It’s grown to offering 450 to 500 lots in a single day. It’s got a very, very good name – something I’m very proud of.”
Held on the long weekend in June, the poultry sale has become one of the most well-supported events in the calendar.
Mr Davey said it drew better numbers than the actual show.
“People come from a long, long way to buy, sell, or just have a look. It’s somewhere to go,” he said.
But like many long-running regional institutions, the show society has faced its share of challenges in recent years, and Mr Davey was frank about it.
“Shows aren’t quite as relevant as they once were, unfortunately,” he said.
“They’re still important for the local community, no doubt about that, but support has dropped.
“We lost our public holiday for show day, and that’s had a huge effect.
“People have to work, and it’s harder to get numbers through the gate to make it pay.”
Volunteer fatigue is another hurdle.
The pool of people willing to give their time has shrunk, and those who remain are often stretched thin.
“Absolutely, there’s volunteer fatigue,” Mr Davey said.
“The same people keep putting their hands up year after year.
“The average age is creeping up, and unfortunately, we’re not getting the young ones in at the same rate we’re losing the older ones.”
Still, Mr Davey remains optimistic, and deeply committed.
Asked what he’d say to someone considering joining the society, he didn’t hesitate: “Got to give it a go. Support your local community,” he said.
“You don’t have to throw yourself into it full-time, but help where you can.
“Without help, things like the chook sale and the show just wouldn’t happen.”
Mr Davey has also been honoured by the Poll Dorset Association of Victoria, receiving life membership, an accolade bestowed on very few.
“That was another surprise,” he said.
“I’ve had Poll Dorsets since I was 13. That’s probably been my other big passion.”
The 2025 Kerang Show will be held on Monday, October 6.
