Best of the Coffs Harbour show 2022: Pictures, videos and interviews
From wonderkid crochet makers to gravity-defying performers, the Coffs Harbour Show 2022 is off to a bang. See all the colourful pics and a video collage of some of the highlights.
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The Coffs Harbour show for 2022 is off to a bang - providing entertainment, food and rides for all ages.
The show battled many obstacles - mud, Covid and financial concerns just to name a few.
All kinds of food - from dagwood dogs to fairy floss were available -albeit the noticeable absence of “hottest chilli”.
There were rides, performers, stallholders and entertainment on offer as people lined up in huge numbers to experience the first show in several years due to Covid.
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said he was delighted to see young people and families keeping the show’s traditions alive.
“It’s important to keep a tight grip on our roots. These are fundamental industries that underpin our society.”
He also noted that the new ‘young women awards’ add “so much to the show”.
See the mega gallery here:
Great to be back
A circus performer for over 20 years, Tim Matousek said it’s “great to have people back” after Covid forced entertainers to pack their gear up.
“I had to get a normal job for a little bit!” Mr Matousek said.
Olivia has been an aerialist for 6 years and used Covid as a time to hone in on her talents and began teaching online dance.
“I still trained during Covid - but it’s great to be back. We can’t do it without the people,” she said.
Crochet wonderkid
At just 11 years old, Grace Ablett is crafting incredible crochet - including an award winning bear and tulip arrangement.
“I used YouTube a lot to learn,” Ms Ablett said.
Her parents said she started with finger knitting and found a love for it.
A natural creator, her favourite subject at school is art and she has recently opened a market stall in Sawtell.
Floods and fires
Chris Bryant has been working with the Rural Fire Service for over 35 years.
Their stall was set up to educate the community on fire awareness.
She said the flood season has been draining on rescue services - and now they’re preparing for summer.
“Eventually the rain will stop and all the grass has grown and can burn easily like tinder,” Ms Bryant said.
She said the hazard reduction they do is only effective for up to five years.
Her role in flood support was part of the “support brigade team”, closely assisting the SES, knocking on doors and evacuating.
She said its important the local community understand their roles in assisting rescue teams.
A family of animals
Sonya Dillon works with Old Macdonald’s farms in Ipswich, QLD.
With an array of animals from alpacas, chicken and sheep, she said many of the animals come in as babies, if their parents have died for example.
The animals co-exist as part of one big family having been raised together.
“They’re always around each other and form a young age have been exposed to humans,” Ms Dillon said.
Many keenvisitors were able to pat and interact with the range of animals.
Candle queen
Georgia Rose - like many of the shows most crafty stallholders - used Covid to educate and inspire, creating her business “Candle Care”.
A full time hairdresser, she said candle making was something she had always wanted to do after seeing her mother doing it.
“Lockdown came and had time to learn from YouTube and Instagram,” Ms Rose said.
Her candles are meticulously crafted and have a wonderful fragrance.
She said the art to candlemaking is about precision..
“You also need to be delicate and very patient,” she said.
Ladies of the future
Heather Orme, 20 won the showgirl title last year which is now named the ‘young woman awards’.
She said it is inspiring to be able to have a platform to be heard as a young person.
“It’s empowering. I want to be a positive role model for younger generations,” Ms Orme said.
She learned a lot of life skills from the competition and realised the importance of hard work, something she is preaching to the youth.
“You can do anything you like if you put your mind to it. You’ll get out what you put in,” she said.
Show goes on
Show cats and dogs are very closely scrutinised through the judging process according to two breeders.
Linda Osborne breeds persian chinchillas - she breeds very strictly to fit criterias.
“Everything’s done right. There’s a lot of regulation,” Ms Osborne said.
Patricia Scrivener used to breed cats and dogs and said it’s “harder than kids”.
“There are four judges with four different opinions. They are judged from anything to eye colour and shape down to their toes,” Ms Scrivener said.
The banana coast
Walter Gately is a retired banana farmer and at 77, he said he has seen a lot of change in the Coffs coast.
“It used to be a perfect place for growing bananas,” Mr Gately said.
He said Coffs Harbour had a population of about 8,000 when he was growing up.
“A small family could grow here and make a living,” he said.
Mr Gately said Coffs farmers used to benefit off the lack of highway infrastructure north into Queensland.
“Back then North Queensland didn't have transport down here,” he sad.
He said the sub-tropical climate in Coffs Harbour makes it ideal for growing bananas but worries the cost of living may drive some farmers away.
“Nature’s steroids”
Jo Dumbrell has been a beekeeper and said beeswax is like “nature’s steroid”.
She advocates for its everyday use to treat skin issues such as dryness, acne and eczema.
“Beeswax has been used for thousands of years, it’s proven to have healing properties for the skin,” Ms Dumbrell said.
She is known as Jo Beeswax due to her love and passion for it.
Scone
Denise Hunter and Carol Williams are scone judges and although they follow strict scone guidelines - they are less concerned about winners and more about reuniting the Coffs community together.
However, when it does come down to judgement time - the scones are carefully inspected and prodded to determine which scone is the perfect scone.
Ms Williams said baking perfect scones is difficult due to the finite art of balancing the ingredients - an art.
“The scones should be even in thickness and diameter with a fine, moist texture and good crumb,” she said.
Ms Williams pointed out that scones should not present any excess flower at the base and should not need to be cut with a knife.
The scones are not judged off their taste - although I’m sure someone is there to indulge.
The Coffs show was a roaring success, acting as a reminder of how important community shows are in boosting community spirit - particularly after a challenging few years for all.
Although no “hottest chilli competition” was available - to my dismay, the show proves how strong and together the community here in Coffs Harbour is - a celebration of the city.
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