General News
22 November, 2023
Huge crowds bolster one of the biggest Noorat Shows yet
THE 2023 Noorat Show was one for the ages as thousands flocked to the little village at the foot of the mount on Saturday. In a welcome reprieve from the torrential rainfall experienced last year, the weather held off for what organisers are...
THE 2023 Noorat Show was one for the ages as thousands flocked to the little village at the foot of the mount on Saturday.
In a welcome reprieve from the torrential rainfall experienced last year, the weather held off for what organisers are praising as one of the biggest agricultural celebrations in the event’s history.
Noorat Show president Monica Heffernan said the committee were “blown away” by the size of the crowd at this year’s event.
“The support we’ve received from the community, from far and wide, exceeded our expectations,” she said.
“I feel like it was one of the biggest we’ve had.
“Stallholders gave us a lot of positive feedback, and everyone in attendance had a great day with positivity all around.
“It was smooth sailing as far as the day went, with lots of smiling faces in the crowd.”
Ms Heffernan said the return of the woodchop and yard dogs was a hit with attendees, in addition to expanded food and picnic areas.
“I think we filled the showgrounds with sights, and I think we’re among the biggest shows in terms of agricultural machinery dealers,” she said.
“One of the things we aim for is people to get up close and personal while still being safe – we don’t want people hiding behind barriers.”
Ms Heffernan said all credit went to the volunteers who make the show what it is year in and year out.
“We have such a fantastic team of volunteers on our show committee,” she said.
“It’s so good to have such a supportive crew who work together exceptionally well for the common goal to put on a great agricultural show.
“We just love it – we live it and we breathe it.”
The belief this year’s show was among the biggest yet was shared by West Brunswick’s Roderick McLennan, who also attended the first Noorat Show as a one-year-old in 1932.
Mr McLennan, 92, said he had fond memories of attending the show each year as a child before his education and career took him further afield.
Despite the passage of time he has always enjoyed returning to the region for the Noorat Show when given the chance.
In retirement he now has the opportunity to revisit the show with his daughter and grandchildren, watching on as they share the same youthful exuberance he had as a child.
“It’s a show which is true to its beginnings,” Mr McLennan said.
“The oval used to be the centre of activities, +-but it’s expanded out to the higher grounds where the animals perform,” he said.
“The rides have been modernised, but the stalls have remained very similar.
“The items undercover have expanded and so have the selection of old cars – which were new cars when I used to go to the show.
“It was certainly well worthwhile coming back – the kids certainly enjoyed it, and it was far superior to last year when we were all soaked to the skin with heavy rain.”
