Cracking day for the Bushy Park Show

Nine-year-old Ricky Cooper gave five whip-cracking
demonstrations during the day.

DESPITE a forecast of rain and a storm, the Derwent Valley turned on the weather for today's Bushy Park Show.

A bigger than usual crowd took advantage of the sunny conditions that emerged after an overcast morning, with the temperature peaking at 22.8 degrees at 3pm.

Show program co-ordinator Alison Hennessy said the attendance was up on last year, with final figures still to come. The total looks certain to be a record for recent years.

Bushy Park Show patron Christine Downie said the event had been an important day in the Derwent Valley for nearly 150 years, made possible through the efforts of many volunteers, exhibitors and sponsors.

The fifth annual Pollie Peel-Off potato-peeling contest was won by Derwent Valley councillor Natasha Woods, while Derwent MLC Craig Farrell won the contest for the longest peel. See the Pollie Peel-Off photo gallery.

An entrant in the mini-horses event.

The awarding of ribbons after the sheep judging.

The junior stock handling competition.

Entrants in the junior stock handling event.

Children on a ride in sideshow alley.

There was a big audience for the Pollie Peel-Off.

Victory to Craig Farrell in the longest peel category of the Pollie Peel-Off.

Craig Farrell MLC and Councillor Natasha Woods with their Pollie Peel-Off
championship ribbons and certificates.