Show day in Kyabram hasn’t changed all that much — cows, chooks, fruit cakes and, of course, those adorable little tykes dressed in flowing gowns or bow ties for the Miss and Master Tiny Tot competitions.
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While this Saturday’s event at the Allan St showgrounds will have its usual array of agricultural offerings that was never my top priority.
For me, and just about every other child of the ’70s, it was the show bags.
There was nothing better than tugging at the skirt of an already under-the-pump mother — as you wander through sideshow alley — demanding the purse strings be released for the purchase of a Sunny Boy, Bertie Beetle or Life Savers show bag.
And, of course, honouring the single most important rule.
Wait to get home to open it — a wonderful ploy to shorten the day for parents not all that excited about completing a full loop of the show attractions.
In 1957 there were 42 “sample bags’’ on offer at the Royal Melbourne Show.
More than 60 years later there are 400-plus choices as every “man and his dog” cashes in on a show-day phenomenon that has stood the test of time.
These days, however, your parents don’t even have to step foot on the showgrounds to satisfy a demanding child’s show bag “request’’ — they can be purchased online.
And the Bertie Beetle showag is back, amazingly still available at near 1970 price levels of $3.
If you are looking to budget for the October 15 Kyabram event then the most popular of the showbags will this year retail for $32.
Here are the picks from the experts: The Greatest Showbag on Earth ($32, confectionery); Bubble Tea (toys and novelty); Brooklyn Nine Nine, Seinfeld, Harry Potter — Classic, Bluey and Cocomelon (characters, TV, movies); Pokemon and Hot Wheels.
As for the kids picks, according to a Royal Melbourne Show report, it is Minecraft Backpack bag, Power Rangers bag and Deadpool showbag that take the cake.
As for the Kyabram Horticultural, Agricultural and Pastoral Society’s historic “sash-based’’ competitions, there are again strong offerings for parents to enter their children.
There is a Miss and Master toddler (children aged 12 months and under three years), Miss and Master Tiny Tot (for three to six year olds), Miss Junior Show Girl (six to nine years), Miss Junior Show Girl (10 to 12 years) and Miss Teenager Show Girl.
This year’s sponsor for the events is Fleur Ferguson Photography.
1972
Fifty years ago there were nine entrants in the Miss Kyabram Showgirl competition, with Judith Forbes from Stanhope, eventual winner Barbara Cole (Ardmona), Chris Rowland (Merrigum), Joan Williamson (Timmering) Catherine Anderson, Bath Anderson, Lyn Anderson, Pauline Bourke and Lynette (all from Kyabram) involved in the competition.
One of the largest crowds if the show’s 45-year history attended, in spite of it being a severe drought year. Gate takings were more than $1700, an increase of $400 on the previous year.
Show president Laurie Foley paid tribute to the volunteer contribution of the Lions club and first time secretary Val Anderson.
1980
Glenda Raggatt, a 17-year-old from Kyvalley, was named Kyabram Showgirl in 1980.
The Free Press of the day noted that Glenda had a busy day, later in the day seen serving drinks at the Kyabram Young Farmers stand.
Val Anderson was the show secretary of the day, for the 53rd staging of the show, which recorded gate takings of $6000.
Kylie Godden and Brock Hurley were named Miss and Master Tiny Tot, while Suzan Anderson and Casey Fafoot were also involved in the showgirl event.
1996
Paige Waide won Miss Tiny Tot and Courtney Chambers was runner-up, while Grant Pimm was named Master Tiny Tot and Lauren Parker was Miss Showgirl, with Tani Tonizzo Miss Teenage Showgirl.
The 69th staging of the show attracted consistent rain throughout the day, but show president Geoff Maxwell said the society would be compensated through its rain insurance.
A marquee had to be hired at the last minute to allow special attraction, The Kangaroo Creek Gang, to perform out of the rain.
2000
No rain at the 73rd staging of the event and a $9500 gate reflecting the spring sunshine.
Kyabram AH&P Society president Ron Matthews said the Honda Motorcycle Competition had attracted significant interest and was won by Wyuna’s Phil Johnstone, with Graham Evans and Craig Bassett filling the minor placings. Daniel Wiltshire won the junior event.
A year prior Perry Keating had won the Kyabram event and went on to become state champion.
Hannah Clarke and Zach Rogers were Miss and Master Tiny Tot, while Carly Moss was Miss Teenage Showgirl and Casey Pell won Miss Junior Showgirl.
Kyabram Free Press and Campaspe Valley News editor