The 150th Daylesford Agricultural Show is on at Victoria Park tomorrow, Saturday November 23.

Society members and volunteers have been busy preparing the grounds and sheds and stewards have spend the morning receiving entries in the various competition categories. All indications are that entries are well up on recent years and the weather forecast for Saturday is perfect so this promises to be one of the biggest Shows yet.

As Daylesford Agricultural Society President for the past 10 years, Don Harvey has been taking the rush and confusion in his stride. He’s seen it all before. His ambition was to guide the 150th Show to completion, a goal which has taken an additional two years of his dedication because of two cancelled shows during the COVID pandemic and associated shutdowns but now all is in readiness for the Show tomorrow.

The Society held a luncheon last weekend to than the many Society members and volunteers who have helped mount the Show over many years.

Mary and Don Harvey were awarded Life Membership in the Daylesford Agricultural Society. (Photo: Tim Bach)

The event was highlighted by the induction into Life Membership of Don and Mary Harvey. Don started coming to the show as a boy when he was visiting family in Daylesford. He has been a flower exhibitor since early 2000s, a Pavilion steward since 2001 and has sponsored various Show prizes.

Mary Harvey has exhibited flowers, cookery and patchwork since early 2000s. She joined Show Committee in 2019 and worked hard to create the show schedule and has been Chair of newly created Homecrafts Committee since 2023.

The Society also recognised the contributions of Society members for their contributions over many years.

  • Sue Cooper has been both a livestock and pavilion steward since 1992 and a pavilion exhibitor.
  • Andrew Coper has been a sheep steward from 1989 to the present day.
  • Brett Cooper has been a poultry steward, a cattle steward since 1992 until classes ceased when he became a sheep steward from then to the present day.
  • Danny Moynihan has helped on Show Day every year since 2001, collecting gate takings and he’s back again this year helping with giving out the prize money.
  • Robbie Nathan has been a pavilion exhibitor for a many years since moving to Daylesford and provided food for volunteers has sponsored  the best junior exhibit and supporting prize money for the junior competitions.

Brett Cooper, Andrew Cooper and Sue Cooper were recognised for their contributions to the Daylesford Show. (Photo: Tim Bach)

As part of the ceremony, the Society unveiled new signage on two of the Agricultural Society Sheds at Victoria Park.

The Tom Ford Pavilion, built in 1969, was named to recognise contributions to the Show for over 40 years. Tom Ford was a heavy horse steward and later a measurer and was Senior Marshall from 1963 to 1972.

The David Yoxall Poultry Pavilion recognises his contribution over many years organising the poultry section. A trophy for the best bird is also named after David who died in 2018.

A schedule of the Show events is on their home page. Get down to the Show and enjoy the day.

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