Editorial: Ready for the real star of the show

EDITORIAL: TO many showgoers there is one thing, and one thing only, that defines the success or failure of a Tasmanian agricultural show.

TO many showgoers there is one thing, and one thing only, that defines the success or failure of a Tasmanian agricultural show – the availability of scones made by the ladies of the Country Women’s Association of Tasmania.

These floury delights, dressed lavishly and unapologetically with lashings of raspberry or strawberry jam and loaded with fresh, thick, whipped cream, are the defining taste of a successful show.

LITMUS TEST: CWA scones can make or break an agricultural show.

A hot cuppa and one – or two or three – of these traditional morning tea snacks can make elevenses on showday a memorable and delightful pleasure for parents, grandparents and children alike.

The most bullish of brutes can be brought to heel with the mere offer of a plate of scones; happy to wash away the sweat and dirt of a hard day’s labour and sit quietly, politely, daintily almost, with all the airs and graces required at a proper English garden tea party.

Nothing is more appealing to the lovely ladies of the CWA than to see a bullock of a man sitting up at a table, with a serviette tucked into his shirt, a scone on a plate at the ready, and a cuppa in hand complete with his chubby little finger extended from the handle.

It can make one wonder whether a plate of traditional Tassie scones might one day find its way on to the tables of the United Nations, so effective they are at taming beasts and dispelling everything but smiles, warmth and crooning mmmmms.

The preparation of a perfectly baked scone is no secret, the recipe is out there in CWA books for anyone to follow, but somehow the delicacies never quite taste the same as the real thing cooked by the genuine ladies of the Tasmanian CWA, and served with a cuppa at an agricultural show.

Of course, the scones are only one feature of the Hobart show, which is expected to attract about 45,000 patrons from today until Saturday.

But for those with a weakness, and there are plenty of us, the scone tent is immediately outside the handicraft pavilion at the Brooker Highway entrance to the showgrounds.

As if the gorgeous taste is not enough, proceeds from the sale of the scones goes towards financing CWA work in supporting women and families in the community and overseas.

So you can feast with a clear conscience.

Opening day at the show will also include freestyle FMX bikers, a dinosaur petting zoo, Scoot the stunt juggler and a Bulls and Barrels Rodeo. Woodcutting has 806 entries this year compared to 600 last year so there will be plenty of axes and, with a bumper amount of kennels, there will be packs of dogs to check out. Tonight there will also be a Frocks ’n Flannies Ball.

All, of course, enjoyed with a scone. Treat yourself.