There has been a reinvigoration in rural agricultural shows. The focus has moved from the rides and fairy floss to good old-fashioned fun and fierce competition to see who can grow the largest zucchini. One of the state’s longest-running is the Bunyip Show which handed out its first blue ribbon in 1900. It is held in the sprawling recreation reserve in the West Gippsland town of Bunyip, a short walk from the V Line train station.

This is a grassroots agricultural show where real farmers bring real livestock to be judged against the best in the region. Dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep, poultry, and goats from farms around this rich farming district are brought together at the end of every March in this great agrarian cavalcade. Huge emphasis is placed on a blue ribbon at an ag show, not only in the livestock arena but in the produce pavilion. Bunyip is on the edge of the great horticultural expanse of Koo Wee Rup. This former wetland has some of the richest soils in the nation and grows some of the best produce in the country. So it is little wonder the Bunyip Show pavilion is packed with produce, all vying for a first prize. There is a simple beauty in seeing five perfectly pruned stems of rhubarb sitting under glass, carefully draped with a blue felt ribbon. There is also some bemusement to see how much trouble entrants have gone to grow the ‘largest potato’. Call me childish, but I find oversized vegetables amusing.   

My favourite section is cookery. Entrants work under very strict rules, which read, “No cake to be iced unless stated. No bought cake or pastry mix unless stated. All large cakes are to be on a board or thick cardboard covered with foil. Rosette for Best Exhibit.” Bakers spend hours making their nut and fruit loaf, scones, Anzac biscuits, and cakes made with fruit or vegetables. There are rows and rows of scones, muffins and lemon cakes. There are sultana cakes, a small slice taken by the judge. Then there are the entrants who come early to see if they have won a prize. Many are children who take great delight in competing and taking home a certificate finished in cursive script.

The Bunyip show is a great day out. In the past, I’ve enjoyed watching people rolling hay bales or throwing gumboots. The sheepdog exhibitions have been worth the trip itself. The Bunyip Show is a great day in the country, just 77 km west of the CBD and an hour down the Princes Freeway or from Southern Cross on a V Line train. When I head to Bunyip, I always give myself time for tomato and halloumi bruschetta brunch at Biddy Martha’s. It is a fun and friendly café whose owners pride themselves on making everything themselves from scratch.

Bunyip Show, Bunyip Recreation Reserve, Bunyip
Sunday 26 March

bunyipshow.org.au