Photos and story by Kendrea Rhodes
Sustainability was the buzzword once again this February in Uraidla. The seventh Sustainability Fair, running in conjunction with the show, was jam-packed with cutting edge concepts that can be applied practically in our day to day lives. Sophie Thompson, from Gardening Australia, spoke about types of soils and the effects of grey water. Other informative lectures and demonstrations incorporated holistic gardening, water usage, solar power, energy efficiency, composting, recycling, native animals, the Coorong, earth-friendly products and home sustainability.
Although the weather forecast was a hot one, the faithful still ventured out to witness the traditional crowd pleasers; yard dog trials, whip cracking, horses in action, ute muster and log chopping. Peter Goers, from ABC 891 Adelaide, opened the show with much of that glorious gusto that he is renowned for. Luckily the thermometer didn’t get as high as predicted, which provided relief to all, including the amazing whip cracking kids – the Fritschs from Mount Gambier and the young Heatherington girls from Penola.
The Uraidla Concert Band appeared this year playing popular songs such as Mission impossible, It’s not unusual, Bohemian rhapsody, Stand by me and more: comprising of swing, jazz and big band numbers. The band has twenty members with musical skills ranging from playing the piccolo, flute, clarinet, saxophone, tuba, drums, guitar, and piano among other instruments. The music from this fun concert band and the Heathfield High School bands – who played throughout the day – added to the vibrant atmosphere of the show.
Every year at the show, the Rural Ambassador Award is bestowed upon the person judged most knowledgeable, enthusiastic and involved in their community, rural life and agricultural shows. This year, that honour went to Tanya Edwards of Summertown. The Young Rural Ambassador named this year was 17 year old, Mitch Schultz from Uraidla.
The Uraidla Show Person Awards recognize young people who have contributed to the show in remarkable ways. Amy Osborne of Summertown was named the Show Person for 2010 and Georgia Chapman, who attends the Uraidla Primary School, was named the Junior Show Person. Congratulations to all of these outstanding young people who serve their communities wholeheartedly.
The CFS tug of war was cancelled due to an exhausted crew who had been called out to Basket Range earlier in the day. But they didn’t let the kids down. They decided to empty their water tanks on the oval where all and sundry took advantage of the cooling relief!
So if you regret missing this year’s fun at the Uraidla and Summertown Show, put it on your calendar for next year. Get a start now; plant those award winning vegetables and flowers; try the traditional home crafts; take those unique photographs; and get cooking. This season’s tomato sauce or plum jam could be next year’s Champion Edible Produce. There are many categories and sections that you can enter, all of which are listed in the show book. For more information, please visit www.uraidlashow.com. If you would like to know more about the Uraidla Concert Band please phone 8390 3135.
Cooling relief supplied by the Country Fire Service!
Top: The Uraidla Concert Band performing for an appreciative crowd. Bottom: Frank Jacobs shearing a sheep with traditional hand shears.
