THE Central & Upper Goulburn Group hosted its group finals on April 21 for 10 affiliated show societies including the Mansfield A&P Society, all vying for wins in the various VAS (Victorian Agricultural Shows) categories and a possible chance to compete at the state finals later this year.
Societies included Alexandra, Heathcote, Lancefield, Kyneton, Lilydale, Mansfield, Seymour, Sunbury, Whittlesea and Yea, with an excellent turnout of representatives from each.
The daytime finals, held at Kings Park, Seymour, showcased the group's talents and skills in cookery, home crafts, photography, fleeces, and young ambassador competitions.
The junior ambassadors including Mansfield's Jess Andrews who was runner up, were interviewed earlier in the day, and then over lunch, guests got to hear them answer questions.
Jess spoke of her involvement over many years competing at the Mansfield Show with horses and in the pavilion classes.
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She proudly mentioned that her late grandmother Peg James was the first female president of the Mansfield A&P Society.
This year Yea's Claire Noonan will represent the Central & Upper Goulburn Group at the state finals of the VAS Junior Ambassador competition.
The junior competition is traditionally judged at the VAS Convention in June, and this year's host will be the Kaniva A&P Society.
Clare spoke about her family's involvement with the Yea Show over several years, how she has "always loved the show," and how she wasn't pressured into entering the ambassador competition.
Meanwhile, the Rural Ambassador will be judged at the Royal Melbourne Show in September.
Mansfield's Nicci Teitge will fly the flag for her local show society and the group.
While a relative newcomer to the district, Nicci has always been involved in country life and works for a local stock and station agency.
While widely travelled, having spent time in the Northern Territory and even a stint on a zebra farm in South Africa, she said Mansfield was the most welcoming place.
She has volunteered at various events hosted by the Mansfield A&P Society, including the recent Tom Curtain show and the annual campdraft.
Nicci thanked her former colleague and show committee member Jo Stone for encouraging her to enter.
In the other VAS competitions Mansfield despite several cookery entries missed out but in the needlework Bonnie Doon's Sonia Lewis took out top prize with her cross stitch which will go onto the Melbourne Royal Show.
Mansfield quilter Kath Mahoney's patchwork was placed second.
The other VAS winners to go through to the state finals are Rich Fruit Cake, Helen Godfrey, Alexandra; Carrot Cake, Larraine Leask, Heathcote; Junior Boiled Fruit Cake, Alyssa Reino, Sunbury; Junior carrot and date muffins, Violet Ruscitti, Lilydale & Yarra Valley; hand embroidery, Leslie Kneeshaw, Whittlesea; sewing Bev Laing, Lancefield; patchwork, Vicki Anceschi, Whittlesea; knitting, Joanne Woolacott, Kyneton; crochet, Kathy Hayes, Heathcote; photography open, Jessie Bishop, Yea; photography junior, Jacob Shroen, Whittlesea and champion fleece, Ava and Tom Harris, Heathcote.
Various non-VAS group classes were well supported across cookery, needlework, crafts and essay writing.
In the under 14 decorated pet rock category, Jack Hurley from Samaria and a regular exhibitor at the Mansfield Show won first prize.
Judges commented entries were of a "very high standard" this year.
