Wet and cool weather fails to dampen spirts at 150th Bushy Park Show

Bushy Park’s 150th Show proved a great attraction this weekend, despite cool weather and a wet start to the day. 

The Showground, with woodchopping to one side, presentations by working dogs in another and horse arena on the other end, offered ample room for myriad stalls and tents, food caravans and a mini retail precinct as well.

Having spent months in the event’s organisation, Show secretary Lauren Burn sat with her immediate interests for the day, a pair of  five week-old piglets named Toast and Sammich. 

She also brought along a Charbray bull (Brahman – Charolais cross)  from her own property beside the Derwent.

Passers-by were asked to take a speculate on the animal’s serious girth, although “guess the bull’s weight” invited (yes, it’s that time of year, folks!) a number of humorous political references.

Over at the equestrian events was a champion, a two-year-old Welsh pony named Karrington Lodge Royal Release, with a slew of awards including a Supreme Champion Young Stock.

A favourite among the canine competitors was FreeRein Kaos, one of the Hunterway breed from New Zealand, who in a high jump competition arranged by Brighton Rural Youth, climbed vertically an astonishing 1.85 metres to claim the show record. 

And at the Show’s old machinery section, among a dozen or more old tractors, Adrian Dare of the Collinsvale Machinery and Social Club brought to life a 1930 Lister belt-driven engine, and provided answers to a thousand different questions about farm machinery.

Elsewhere, the GoodFellas, Brad & Brett, well known across southern Tasmania, played country rock and pub favourites through the day, while the Lions Club of New Norfolk offered a chocolate wheel and chances to win great prizes.

As a busy summer progresses, the SES, Tasmania Fire Service and Biosecurity Tasmania each provided stalls and information on their particular concerns, the latter with information about the newly  introduced electronic identification process for sheep and goats in Tasmania. 

Showbags and teas were served by the Magra CWA, attracting a solid stream of customers throughout the day.