By Kyra Gillespie
Showbags were selected, prizes were won and celebrations were had at the 2019 Parklea Pakenham Show.
Visitors of all walks of life showed out on the sunny Saturday to enjoy a range of activities, displays, performances, rides and more.
There was something for everybody on March 16; there was ferret racing, poultry and goat competitions, reptile encounters, craft stations, games, pony rides and more.
“The best part about today is probably this dinosaur balloon that I got,” said 13-year-old Assistant Patrol Leader Jakob from the Beaconsfield Scout Group.
The gumboot throw was hotly contested and the showgrounds came alive with the sounds of the pipes from the Berwick Scottish Bagpipes group, the Victoria Police Band, Cardinia Civic Concert Band and African Drummers – to name a few.
A number of community groups had stall set up to raise money for local causes.
“We have a very busy branch down at Pakenham and we’re here today to both promote the association and the branch, selling our cookbooks and taking part in the Wally Wombat trail as we do every year,” CWA Pakenham branch president Carol Clay said on the day.
“Any money that we raise from our cook book sales will go to feed the Blaze Aid people at the Bunyip relief centre.”
Grant Austen from Pakenham Rotary Club was also on the Wally Wombat trail handing out Summer Snow apple juice.
“We’re also promoting our upcoming car show which is on 28 April,” he said.
Bass Labor MP Jordan Crugnale was handing out flyers and chatting to residents alongside Labor La Trobe candidate Simon Curtis.
“We’ve been discussing community hospitals, level crossings and TAFEs,” Ms Crugnale said.
“And we’re in white ready for Holi later in the day.”
“A lot of people have been asking us about the infrastructure in the area, especially those level crossings. People around Pakenham are so excited to have that happening in our community as soon as possible,” Mr Curtis added.
Members of the Sikh community were out and about promoting their new temple on Officer Road by giving away hundreds of traditional mango drinks to the thirsty crowds.
As a mark of respect for the incident that happened in Christchurch, the community also held a special prayer ceremony on Sunday at the temple and invited all members of the community to participate.
“We’re praying in respect of those innocent people who lost their lives in the Christchurch tragedy, for their families and to promote the message that Sikhism is based on the principals that the entire human race is one.”
A petition is also being circulated by the Sikh community members to secure federal funding for an Officer Community Centre.
La Trobe Liberal MP Jason Wood said he had lots of feedback from attendees at the show.
“It’s great to be here at the Pakenham Show, it’s a fantastic family day,” Mr Wood said.
“The number one issue that people have been coming up and talking to me about is road congestion in Pakenham. The great news is I’ve delivered funding for the McGregor Road on/off ramps, now my big focus is on fixing Racecourse Road.
“I also want to give some funding to the youth in regards to My Place in Pakenham. I’m working with council to double the size of that, find a new facility and put $1.5 million of federal funding in, and also helping out the local scouts.”
The day finished with the Casey Cardinia Indian Association’s colourful Holi Fest.
