This year saw record-breaking entries across all competitions. The pavilion buzzed with more exhibits than ever before, while the horse rings, cattle yards and woodchop arena hosted competitors from both within and beyond our Valley borders. The expanded cheese and dairy section particularly highlighted this broader reach, drawing artisan cheesemakers from across the region who shared their expertise and raised the bar for local competition.
Kids’ Day was a triumph with lots of activities all day, culminating in the outdoor dance with DJ Tino on the decks and his amazing light show. Fortunately, the open air screening of our inaugural Valley Shorts Film Festival had been moved to the hall where a standing-room-only crowd was delighted by the 15 finalists screening. Local filmmaker Harry Kielly took top honors with his moving documentary Horse Aid.
Despite the challenging heat, the Grand Parade showcased the true heart of Kangaroo Valley, with unprecedented participation from local groups, schools and organisations.
Family favorites like canoe racing and novelty events drew larger crowds than ever, while enhanced children’s activities on Friday’s Kids’ Day created an inclusive, family-friendly atmosphere that carried through to Saturday’s main events.
This year’s success reflects the Show Committee’s dedication to fostering broader community engagement while honouring our traditional rural heritage. The increased participation, from both Valley residents and visiting competitors, has set a new standard for future shows. As we look toward our 70th anniversary on these grounds in 2026, this year’s achievements provide a strong foundation for continued growth and community connection.
– Stephen Wilson
Valley-tines magic
For everyone who wondered if Valentine’s Day and our beloved Valley Show could blend – we proved it in spectacular style! The pavilion bloomed with roses at every turn, while twinkling lights and red love hearts transformed our centre stage into something special.
Kids’ Day captured the spirit perfectly. The aroma of heart-shaped cookies wafting from Angie’s baking workshop mixed with the happy chatter of friends crafting colorful friendship bracelets. Every creation seemed to say: “Made with love in the Valley”.
But it was the evening that truly sparkled. As the sun set, the showground came alive with glowing hearts and twinkling lights. Kids and adults danced under the stars (before the heavens opened), their heart-shaped glasses catching the light while DJ Tino worked his magic.
Who knew our traditional Show could embrace Valentine’s Day so perfectly? We didn’t just celebrate Valley-tines Day – we made it our own, wrapping our community spirit in a generous helping of heart-shaped joy. The 2026 Valley-tines Day will be on Saturday, so let the tradition continue!
A blooming success
The Kangaroo Valley Show pavilion sparkled with renewed energy this year as first-time Chief Steward Intan Kallus took the helm, supported by her mentor and previous steward, Irene Dunn. The 2025 show marked a remarkable achievement with entries flooding in across all categories, particularly in the flower section, which transformed the pavilion into a fragrant paradise of local blooms.
Valley stalwart Michael Gorman maintained his winning streak, once again securing the prestigious A.J. Goode Memorial Best Vegetable Collection, while Lee Slater impressed judges with the best collection of kitchen herbs. The junior pavilion buzzed with young talent, highlighted by Daisy Macindo’s show-stopping performance in the champion cooking exhibit. Macindo’s two masterpiece cakes, crafted to deceive the eye, demonstrated extraordinary skill and creativity.
“I am stoked. I’m over the moon,” beamed Intan, whose enthusiasm proved contagious throughout the community. The pavilion’s success story is deeply rooted in the Valley’s spirit of collaboration, with volunteers like Selena Hanet-Hutchins and Solomon and Ellie Johnson pitching in to help with decorations, and local artisans like Zoe Quirk contributing stunning Valentine’s Day wreaths that added a romantic touch to the displays.
What makes the pavilion truly special, according to Intan, is its sacred quality – a place where community members pour their hearts into their entries, whether from garden, kitchen or craft room. This year’s show drew visitors from far and wide, including families from Port Macquarie, Sydney and the South Coast, all eager to experience the Valley’s renowned hospitality and creative spirit.
The pavilion’s triumph reflects the extraordinary dedication of its volunteer team and the generous community spirit that defines Kangaroo Valley. From spectacular floral displays to lovingly crafted exhibits, each entry told a story of passion and skill, creating a tapestry of local talent that made the 2025 Show one for the history books.
Record turnout in the horse arena
The equestrian events at this year’s Kangaroo Valley Show saw unprecedented success, with show jumping entries soaring to more than 100 participants each day – a remarkable increase from previous years.
Showjumping Section Steward Deborah Banks credits the success to several innovations, including new classes that welcomed riders of all experience levels and the expertise of course designer Kel Priestly, whose well-designed courses drew praise from competitors.
“Having Kel as course designer was the right move. Every single course was built really well and the riders enjoyed them,” Banks enthused. “The courses were appropriate for each level and the participants were really happy.”
The arena buzzed with energy throughout both days, drawing spectators who were entertained by informative commentary explaining the intricacies of events like the spectacular six-bar competition. Many locals reported staying to watch the events after learning more about the skills and strategies involved.
Chief Horse Steward Lorraine Mairinger, who first competed at the Show in 1961, brings a deep appreciation for the event’s rich equestrian heritage. For Mairinger, one of this year’s highlights was seeing William Bennett, grandson of Olympic equestrian Mervyn Bennett, competing in the arena. “It’s wonderful to see these riding traditions being passed down through the generations,” she reflected. “The arena holds so many stories of riders who’ve gone on to achieve great things.”
While hack entries were lower this year, Mairinger noted the exceptional quality of competition across all events. Drawing from her six decades of involvement with the Show, she emphasised how the strong turnout this year helps ensure the future of these cherished equestrian traditions.
While the increased participation meant some events ran later than usual, organisers are already planning schedule adjustments for next year to accommodate the growing interest while ensuring the events remain accessible for younger riders.
The success of this year’s equestrian program has reinforced its position as a cornerstone of the Kangaroo Valley Show, with both competitors and spectators already looking forward to 2026.
Unique cheese offering draws a crowd
The Cheese and Dairy section has proven once again why we’re known as the Friendly Show, welcoming 94 entries from 15 different entrants spanning Tasmania, Victoria, Sydney and over New South Wales. According to Chief Steward Rosie Johnson, this widespread participation from beyond the Valley was a reflection of the high esteem for judge Graham Redhead and also demonstrates the Show’s reputation for inclusivity and warmth.
“Graham’s judging style perfectly embodied our Friendly Show spirit. He was incredibly inclusive and generous with sharing his industry knowledge. There was no holding back – it was all about helping home cheesemakers improve their craft,” Rosie explained.
Local cheesemaker Pam Swinfield claimed the Most Successful Exhibitor award for an impressive fifth time. When called two days after her win, Pam was already back at work, carefully tending to a Red Cheshire cheese. “This one might be ready for the 2027 show,” she laughed, while monitoring the water bath temperature during the critical cheddaring process. Her dedication to the craft is evident in her long-term approach. Some of her show entries this year included a Cheshire originally made in 2021 for her friend’s daughter’s wedding. “I kept a small piece ageing and when I tasted it, I thought, ‘That’s a bloody ripper’ – so in it went!”
Elizabeth Knox from Bream Creek, Tasmania, won Champion Dairy Product with her exceptional brie, which Rosie described as “gooey, soft and perfectly timed in relation to ripeness”.
A particularly innovative aspect of this year’s event was the Saturday tasting session, exclusively for entrants. This collaborative approach allowed participants to sample and learn from each other’s creations, including a notably high-scoring mozzarella that generated significant interest due to its technical difficulty.
The section’s commitment to education and improvement is evident in their open judging format and comprehensive feedback system. “Every product entered receives written feedback about the judges’ comments,” Rosie noted. “This helps entrants understand exactly what they need to work on for next time.”
Looking ahead, plans are already in motion for next year’s event, with Graham confirmed to return. While the section has successfully attracted entries from across Australia, Rosie hopes to encourage even more local Valley entrants next year, maintaining the perfect balance of being both a community show and a destination event for passionate cheesemakers nationwide.
And while tributes have flown in the past months for Kathy and Simon Harrington as they move away from the Valley, it would be remiss of us not to mention the incredible legacy Kathy leaves with the establishment and growth of the Cheese and Dairy section of the show. And to Simon, for his tireless support of the Cheese and Wine Tasting event and his dedication to manning the Prize office each year. Enormous thanks and hopes to see them back with us in some capacity for 2026.
The Grand Parade and community groups
The Kangaroo Valley Show Grand Parade showcased the vibrant spirit of our community with an impressive array of participants. John Bacon from the Kangaroo Valley Rural Supplies – the Red Shed – outdid himself, decorating with flags and bunting, and cleverly bartering sunflowers for feed with the Mumms to create a standout display.
The call for decorated utes drew creative entries from across the Valley. Kate Pell Yoga brought her practice to the parade, complete with students demonstrating downward-facing dogs, while Landcare’s entry featured two-year-old Hugo nestled among the privet. The Waste Warriors made their mark, but it was the imaginative sheep-themed ute that took top honors, sporting horns through the windows and wool adorning the bin.
Throughout the weekend, community stalls demonstrated the Valley’s deep commitment to environmental and social causes. As Sarah Waddell reported, “The Reconciliation Allies stall at the KV Show went well. Books and plants were sold and many conversations were had. The Welcome to Country by Uncle Tom Moore on Friday was significant and we were lucky to be placed in between the Blak Cede stall and the Friends of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby/Kangaroo Valley Environment Group – all very conducive to attracting passers-by.”
The parade itself featured strong community participation, with multiple laps from the KVET friendship group, KV Gym and the local football club. The Todd Woodbridge Cup tennis teams and Women on Wheels added to the festive atmosphere, while environmental groups showcased their dedication to protecting local endangered species, promoting landcare initiatives and supporting bee conservation.
The diverse mix of participants, from environmental advocates to sporting clubs, perfectly captured Kangaroo Valley’s community connection, creativity and commitment to cultural and environmental stewardship.
Cattle call
The beef cattle section at this year’s show brought together students from three local schools: Frensham, Chevalier and MacArthur Anglican College. With such an early start, the day kicked off with the traditional bacon and egg sandwiches, generously provided by Kangaroo Valley Pastured Eggs and served by the Lions Club. The morning’s activities proceeded smoothly, with good weather holding until all events were complete.
Under the guidance of judge Dave Kent and steward Brad Hawthorne, students experienced an innovative approach to livestock assessment in the Light Weight Steer Division. “Dave’s approach was a real highlight of the day,” said Hawthorne. “Rather than just walking and judging, he brought all the students into the ring and had them assess their peers’ steers. He wanted to hear directly from them why they would rank one animal third and another fourth – it really showed if they were understanding the judging process.” This new approach is something Brad believes could help build engagement from other schools.
As always, there was effective collaboration between the beef and dairy sections, with the Parishes managing the dairy component.
The big finish
The Valley rodeo marked a triumphant return of the Saddle Bronc event. After an approximately 45-year absence, the Saddle Bronc event drew three riders who rode across six horses. Riley Bradshaw distinguished himself by being the only rider to make the eight-second challenge. He was also crowned the inaugural President’s Choice Buckle.
With perfect weather conditions, the rodeo kicked off with R3 for the 14/18 juvenile steer, which this year is in the Shoalhaven Championship series. In the junior division, Clayton Hines took top honours in the Ross Nelson Memorial 8/11 junior steer. Brayden Oddy was awarded the Garry Tyson Memorial Open Steer presented by Garry’s sons Glenn and Dean. The award honours the legacy of Garry Tyson who worked alongside Norm Luscombe in the Valley for many years.
Chief steward Helen Mairinger noted the success of the events this year, crediting The Friendly Inn, Dust N Ranch Outfitters, Garry Nelson Livestock Transport, Rex Irwin and all sponsors of the Rodeo. Looking ahead to 2026, the committee is looking to expand and include 14/18 Saddle Bronc, a growing event in the world of rodeo. The Valley’s rodeo extends beyond local entertainment, serving as a crucial qualifying event that puts the riders in contention for the ABCRA Nationals in January 2026.
A big thanks to all volunteers
Our Show comes alive through the dedication of countless volunteers, from our welcoming faces at the gates to the stewards keeping everything running smoothly across the grounds. Each year, our community comes together to create something truly special.
Throughout the showground, passionate volunteers share their knowledge and love for what matters, from reconciliation and landcare to protecting our precious wildlife and keeping our bees thriving. In every stall and display, you’ll find someone eager to share their story and expertise.
Our farming families deserve special mention – preparing their poultry, horses and cattle with pride, judging with wisdom, and most importantly, passing on their invaluable knowledge to eager young minds. They’re building the bridge between generations of agricultural excellence.
Then there are those who bring pure joy to our youngest visitors – guiding tiny hands as they hold their first chick, showing budding bakers how to decorate the perfect cookie and sparking wonder in countless ways.
Look around our show and you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone who hasn’t contributed in some way. It’s this spirit of community participation that makes our Show what it is. In the end, it’s not just a show – it’s the coming together of our community, creating memories and maintaining traditions that will last for generations to come.
Feedback survey
By all accounts it was the best show ever … yet it is human nature to want to make great even greater. So we welcome your feedback on a quick survey that we can then take to our next committee meeting. https://forms.gle/rAM96PiWWdUq3HVs5
– Julie Ward
PS: Farmers market
We’ve loved having our market stall and will be back after Easter. Keep an eye out for it!
