The annual Victorian Agricultural Shows (VAS) Convention is a highly anticipated event each year for show societies across the state with Bendigo hosting the 2025 event.
Held 13 -15 July instead of the usual end of June weekend, VAS executive officer, Rod Bowles, was pleased to report that it was well attended with 57 Shows represented and 115 delegates on the Saturday with 152 attending the dinner on the Saturday night.
A major objective of the convention is to provide resources and training to the show organisers covering a range of areas such as insurance, OH&S, homecraft judges’ training and biosecurity, explained Mr Bowles.
The VASA organisation was founded in 1964, and the first convention was at the Melbourne Showgrounds in 1966.
In 2003 VAS Ltd was formed which is a company with a board of directors and the 2020 was the only year a convention was not held due to COVID.
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Post COVID has been a period of rebuilding or refocusing on various challenges for different show societies.
Noting some of the challenges faced, Mr Bowles said managing and obtaining sponsorship and partnerships for long term sustainability was addressed at the convention.
VAS introduced special awards this year including a People’s Choice for favourite show, volunteers, marketing and innovation.
“The awards program was an outstanding success and the lead up to the announcements created a lot of social media interaction promoting shows in the off time of year and recognising the achievements of the volunteers,” said Mr Bowles.
“The biggest take home was the various ideas of innovation the shows had demonstrated for other to learn from.”
As per other years the Junior Ambassador state final is a highlight of the Saturday night dinner.
“One of the judges was our 2024 Rural Ambassador Caitlin Grieve (who will compete in the national finals this year).
“She specialises in public speaking coaching, and she acknowledged the outstanding quality of the seven finalists and their personal achievements at such a young age,” Mr Bowles said.
This year saw the presentation of life memberships awarded to retiring board directors Brian Keirl, Lorraine Morris and Scott Somerville for their outstanding contribution to the agricultural shows’ movement.
The VAS Council AGM saw Vivian Beaumont from the Seymour Show Society elected as chair of the board and Debbie Geddes from Myrtleford is the new deputy chair.
