Show looks to the future

Show president Geoff Young, junior vice president Catherine Ritchie, and secretary Anita Rovers with Roger Leamon, Giorgi Boucher, Phillip McCauley, Christine Young, Joanne Ritchie, Wendy Andrews and Jess Murphy.

THE AGM of the Parklea Pakenham and District Agricultural and Horticultural Show was held on Tuesday 21 July.
In the show’s 105th year Geoff Young was unanimously voted back in as president and Catherine Ritchie as junior vice president.
Anita Rovers will continue as secretary and Stephanie Young as treasurer for 2015-2016.
The Pakenham and District Agricultural and Horticultural Show can celebrate a milestone of positive progress over the past two years and has definitely been a success story for the local iconic event and, as a result, was recognised as the Event of the Year at the Cardinia Shire’s Australia Day celebrations in January.
The fact that entry was free and the show returned to the centre of the Pakenham township meant that many families attended the show for the first time this year.
This number is expected to grow even bigger at the 2016 show.
Parklea will again be on board and as major sponsor with naming rights to the show.
With a dedicated loyal team, wonderful community sponsors and the introduction of alpacas, continued growth in the pavilion, poultry, show personality, multicultural exhibitions and the success of the dogs now on Sunday, the show will continue to go from strength to strength.
“I sincerely thank my dedicated strong committee, life members, community volunteers/groups and wonderful sponsors,” Mr Young said.
“After moving to the PB Ronald Reserve for the last two years we can stand strong and bold against those critics who said the show would die after leaving the racecourse and have to merge with Yakkerboo.
“This is not the case.
“The show, with free entry, with exhibitor numbers increasing and public support for the show, we will continue to grow as the number one event for the Cardinia shire.
“This year we will see the return of the sheep and the fun-filled free events.
“I will continue as president with a strong positive committee and devoted group of volunteers on show day to make the Parklea Pakenham and District Agricultural and Horticultural Show a show that stands tall within our community and beyond,” Mr Young said.