Fantastic turn out for Rutherglen show

By Robert Muir

Oct 22, 2024

Hundreds of youngsters loved the showrides at Rutherglen’s 134 th annual show last Sunday, including the Cha Cha ride from Wodonga.

Named in reference to Ovens Junction Feedlot, three-year-old O J is a super hero in the Williams family of Rutherglen. The highest board to jump over just kept going up and O J jumped a record 2.58m (8’6”) in Rutherglen’s 2024 show last Sunday. It was a happy O J pictured with family members, Poppy and Jed, and Dad Brent after the wonderful achievement.

Every year the showgirl showboy event attracts a big crowd and last Sunday’s Rutherglen Show was no exception. Numbers for the younger age categories were good according to steward Karryn Williams, but as with other shows, numbers for the teenage years were down. Pictured from left, the winners were Henry Talbot (10-12 boys), Flynn McInnes (3-5 boys), Harper Wilson (3-5 girls), Lottie Colman (6-9 girls), Lachlan Neil (6-9 boys) and Alexi Strachan (10-12 girls).

Adam Bennett of Everton continued his winning ways from Corowa Show, with his wool fleeces being awarded Supreme Champion at Rutherglen Show last Sunday and was champion of three other wool fleece event. Really pleased with the great quality, Adam mentioned “happy sheep, well fed and good genetics” as reasons for his continued success.

In the popular pet parade, Lynden Courtney with 22 months old Miniature Dacshund Daisy won Best Presented Animal and Handler from Rutherglen sisters Sarah and Annabel Hourigan, in their glorious red, white and royal blue outfits – a la Australia Flag and AFL Western Bulldog colours - with two-year-old Border Cross Kelpie Gina.

The final of the standing block wood chop, with back marker Bryce Willoughby of Wangaratta at the right about to land his first chop. And the winner, Bryce Willoughby!

Bianca Wighton of Boorhaman won first Prize in the Boorhaman Ladies Bake Off with her jam drops. This year the friendly rivalry between she and Sally O’Donoughue paid dividends for Bianca. Main Pavilion head steward Julie Hollier is pictured with the winner.

Rutherglen’s Jacqui Hollier and four-year-old son Alex Downie entered several successful entries, including the fruit section in which mother won Open event and son the five and under section. Alex’s lemon-made caterpillar was most appealing with Jacqui’s basked of a variety of fruit was also eye grabbing.

“It was a fantastic turn out with the community supporting our show. There were over 1500 entries in the main pavilion alone.”

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Rutherglen Agricultural Society’s President Greg Lumby continued his summing up of the town’s 134th annual show: “We had several new events and they were successful. Entry to our show was free because of the community support we get. We’re rapt the way it all turned out.”

Main Pavillion head steward Julie Hollier was thrilled with the large number and high quality of entries for all of the pavilion’s event categories. “They were all well supported by our community which included all the schools. It’s absolutely amazing the number and quality of entries this year,” the first-time head steward said.

Anything to do with animals always attracts attention. Showgoers of all ages loved seeing the animal nursery, the pet parade, the cattle and horses in glorious 27 degrees celcius.

“There were 80 horses, the most for some time, good quality, on great grounds and the weather was terrific,” ring master Sara Love said.

Crowds flocked to the dog jumping event and were lucky enough to see history being created – O J beat his previous show record. “It was a great crowd – they were so quiet when O J was jumping. O J was just phenomenal. It’s the best since I started commentating in 1988,” Tony Jones said.

The animal nursery was a smash hit with showgoers, especially the real young! Included in this photograph is a very handy batsman for Corowa and the fastest bowler in CAW cricket Jarryd Hatton.

The wood chopping event was very popular. As were numerous show rides. Show alley had a constant stream of people trying their hand and luck at winning or showing interested in the nature of the stalls, and buying showbags.

Shows are great meeting places and last Sunday’s was no exception. People were chatting over the plentiful food and refreshments. With the 2024 show, they had plenty to talk about.