FOR all his antics, the eccentric and entertaining Costa Georgiadis had an important message to give at the Candelo Show – cherish your farmers and local food producers.
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Officially opening the 127th Candelo Show, Costa, the host of the ABC’s Gardening Australia, said this was 127 years of history, 127 years of culture and 127 years of identity.
“That’s what shows are all about,” he said.
Sometimes his opening address was hard to hear as there was a problem with the microphone, and even a second one offered didn’t really work, but the main message came across clearly - that the work of farmers and food producers was all-important for an Australia that needed a permanent self-sustaining culture.
Costa enlisted the help of toddler Christian Montagner to cut the ribbon to enter the Kameruka Estates pavilion for the opening, and this gesture was typical of the unique way he went about his official duties.
Because of the lovely cool weather, attendance was good, but not quite as many as last year when the Wharf to Waves at Tathra was not on the same day as the show.
Judges in all categories were pleased with the standard of entry and in the pavilion the fruit and vegetables were of a particularly high standard because of the great season.
The dairy goats were at the show, but there was no judging in the category as the judge had been unable to get to Candelo because of the Victorian bushfires.
There was heaps of entertainment throughout the day including the dog high jump, the Kids’ Kastle, reptile show, woodchopping, Rhys Davies with his juggling and monocycle, the Queanbeyan Pipe Band, Akubra hat tossing, stock horse racing and live band Fir Croi.
There was also plenty to look at - the dairy cow judging, exhibits in the pavilion, poultry, felt-making, historical machinery, vintage cars, goat and cow milking, sheep shearing and chook washing.
The local produce stand attracted a lot of attention and many buyers with its eggs, bread, olive oil, honey, fruit and vegetables, and the Candelo show aprons and calico bags.