Taralga News | Taralga Show started with a bang but ended with a fizzle

After all the show comes just once a year and entries were already in for the Pavilion - cooking and craft had been entered, pickles and preserves had been prepared.

The president, Stuart Keith, welcomed Wendy Tuckerman and her husband to Taralga and the delicious roast lunch, prepared by members of the CWA, went ahead.

Stuart's speech is reproduced below:

"This luncheon is an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge your contribution both today and in the past. This year has been a particularly tough one with drought and fires. We are very grateful to be able to go ahead when so many other areas have had to call theirs off.

"Many people in the community have volunteered their time during the fires so I am very grateful that our committee, stewards and volunteers have been able to give their time to make this show happen, all your work really makes this show great.

"We have been very fortunate to also have the support of our major sponsor, Taralga Rural for the past 20 years. The show, also would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors and I would like to personally thank Bryn, Karina and Dave for their ongoing support. Along with our major sponsor, many businesses and people come forward to offer sponsorship for the show, specific events and prizes. It is this financial support that has seen our show continue to grow in entries and attendance.

"I'd like to thank all contributors to the show, no matter how big or small. I'd like to thank John Stafford, mayor of the Upper Lachlan Shire and his wife, Tracey for being here today and always supporting our local events. I also welcome our guest of honour, Wendy Tuckerman, state member for the Goulburn electorate, who will officially open our show after the luncheon. Wendy was elected as state member last year. Wendy has a good understanding of agricultural regions after purchasing a property in Boorowa in 1997, later being elected to Boorowa Council and subsequently mayor of Boorowa for a period of 12 years.

"I would also take this opportunity to acknowledge that this year, the Taralga Show has been a recipient of funds from the Country Show Sponsorship package as part of the State Government drought stimulus funding. Wendy and her staff have been instrumental in raising awareness of such packages and we very much appreciate such assistance during a difficult year. The funding has ensured that this year's show was able to go ahead in an environment where so many small community shows were cancelled.

"I would also like to acknowledge our AP and H patrons and life members who have been loyal supporters of the show for many years. It is wonderful to see, so many of you here today.

"We are also honoured today to welcome a new life member. Jan Green has been involved in the Taralga Show as a chief steward of the pavilion for a number of years. Jan was instrumental in rejuvenating the pavilion to the high standard it is today. Jan also entered in the regional pavilion competition on three occasions, coming away with a first place and two seconds. I would like to honour Jan for her dedication to the show with a life membership.

"Lastly I would like to thank the CWA ladies for a delightful lunch and please make sure you support them over the weekend by visiting Cuppa on the Hill."

Unforunately, the rain made impossible for the official opening to take place outside so Wendy opened the show inside the luncheon booth. Wendy made a brief speech and congratulated Taralga on their community spirit. The show was later called off.

Despite the weather the home brew competition continued.

Kevin Partridge had the results ready. He said we had 38 entries in this year's competition, slightly down from last year, but there were 15 beers and surprisingly 23 wines and other beverages.

This year the Fred Denman memorial award for champion wine was hotly contested and the quality was high. So much so that the judge could not decide between Kevin Partridge's classic brut sparkling wine or Amy Green's mandarin wine.

In the end after another taste off, it was decided to jointly award the prize. Congratulations Kevin and Amy.

Justin Moloney was the best beer of the show with his stout. Other winners were Kevin Partridge for his pilsner only two points below Josh. Michael Lumley took out the lager; Jan Green the pale ale while Ian Newham the dark ale. Grand Champion for Best Overall Beverage was Michael Lumley for a beautiful mead.

We need more brewers for next year so get those kits out of the cupboard and lets get brewing for 2021.