Signs Of The Old Remain In New-look Show - But Where Are The Spring Rolls?

The Age

Friday September 22, 2006

KATHERINE KIZILOS

MILLIONS have been spent at the Showgrounds, but thankfully, not all has changed. The carnival music is still loud, tea-towels still hang in the Country Women's Association cafeteria and the animals are still wondering what all the fuss is about.

The grounds, which were redeveloped for $108 million, were completed a year late and $7.9 million over budget, but the consensus yesterday was that the result was a cleaner, greener, more open layout, which made it easier for visitors to find their way around. The chairlift has gone, but the giant Pie in the Sky remains, having been declared a heritage site.

In the new livestock pavilion, the Holsteins stood stoically in their stalls, before being judged in the afternoon. Brad Allott, who has brought six animals to town from Stanhope, near Shepparton, says the new animal shed "is all right, it just needs more power".

Nearby, in the heritage sheep section, a young farmer from Hamilton complains that the big new shed has no drains, which means she cannot wash out a stall.

But Sarah Christie, 19, also from Hamilton, whose family has been exhibiting at the Show for 100 years, pronounces the redeveloped grounds "very pretty", despite the car park being a long way from the livestock pavilion.

At an outdoor coffee shop, Francesca Mollica of Elsternwick and Ernest Bank of Bentleigh are not so sure they like the new Show. They complain about the entry price ($11 for children, $22 for adults), the cost of the rides - some are $6 - and their general impression that the animals are playing a less important part in the event.

In the grand pavilion, a massive new marquee housing food exhibitors and food stalls, 81-year-old apiarist Laurie Braybrook leans pensively over a glass beehive at the Victorian Apiarists Association stall. Mr Braybrook, who was once the chief apiary inspector for the Department of Agriculture, says he has been visiting the Show for 50 years. He admitted he missed "the old familiar form".

The art and craft pavilion is also new, but the work on display is old-fashioned. In the carnival rides section, Riley Haddad, 6, was having a great day with his godfather John Hartman, who had already spent $340 on Riley, his sister Elise, 10, and their mother Judy. Mr Hartman reckoned he would spend $500 before the day was done.

He was full of praise for the new look Showgrounds. "I love it. I like the openness and the arena is fantastic. But I'm still looking for a spring roll. I reckon there has to be one here somewhere."

ROYAL MELBOURNE SHOW

WHAT'S ON TODAY

9.30am The Great Show Treasure Hunt, Wanyip's Magical Mystical Garden display and workshop, Animal Nursery Discovery Farm activities.

10.30am Woodchop competition.

10.30am, 2.30pm The Hooley Dooleys performance.

Noon The Flying Lotahs, Freestyle Motocross and Sampson Monster Truck demonstrations.

Noon, 3.30pm The Dorothy the Dinosaur Show.

4.15pm Grand Wazoo's soul and funk extravaganza.

6.30pm Harness parade

7pm DJ Starfingers.

8pm Dan Kelly & Alpha Males.

9.10pm Pete Murray & The Stone Masons.

© 2006 The Age

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