Special Events
Each year East Gippsland Field Days has a diverse range of agricultural and rural industries displays and demonstrations including wool, dairy, beef and many more enterprises and emerging farming industries. This iconic event is run by the Lindenow Lions Club since 1986, and hosts a variety of free family friendly entertainment. I was located in the Kids Zone with other activities for children in one of the Bairnsdale Aerodrome hangers. (An historic aeroplane hanger dating back to World War 2)
Another hot show day, fortunately I was located in air conditioned pavilion. Gulgong is a historic 19th-century gold rush town in NSW, Australia, known, narrow streets and heritage buildings 1870 gold was discovered, and the childhood home of poet Henry Lawson.Event Highlights: Horse Ring Pavilion Arts, Photography, Cooking – including Men’s & Women’s Chocolate Cake and Gulgong’s Best Scone Cake Decorating, Wool, Handicraft, Needlework, Flowers, Fruit, Vegetables, Jams, Preserves, Home Brew and much more. Poultry & Pigeons, Cattle, Sheep and Goats Rides & Attractions: Entertainment: Lots on offer including a cowgirl with wings stunt rider, Cartoon Portraits sketched. Music into the night followed by a stunning fireworks display
A hot day for the show this year but this did not deter people from attending. Gundagai was founded in the 1830s on the Murrumbidgee River floodplain in NSW and discovery of gold in 1861 brought growth and bush ranger activity. There are Historic landmarks such as the Dog on the Tukerbox and poetry and songs including "Along the Road to Gundagai". The Annual Show showcases district and beyond, and there are agricultural exhibits and Community displays on offer. There were the usual events such as Cattle, Horses, Poultry, Pavilion Exhibits, Yard dogs and Sheep Dog Trials, Show dogs, Cattle Dog Trials, Vintage cars, Sideshow alleys and Show Bags. I was located undercover sketching cartoon portraits with other entertainers.
The show had much to offer this year at the Pavilion exhibits such as fruit, food, cooking display bread and biscuits. There was Alpaca Fleece Plants and vegetables. Sewing - amazing work on display especially the quilts. At the Kids Zone there were many interactive events. On offer was a Cattle Competition, Rodeo, Vintage Car Display, Antique Tractors display and much more. People had their portraits sketched throughout the weekend.
The first Candelo Show was held in 1883, providing a great affordable fun day for the whole family. There were many activities and exhibits such as local produce, arts, craft, cattle and much more.
Ring events including show jumping competitions. The amazing wood chop and dog jump competitions and animal nursery gives children experience of farm animals. Cartoon portraits were part of the days entertainment where people could take home a portrait sketch.
The Pambula show had much to offer many people enjoyed the entertainment. I was located undercover drawing cartoon portraits from life, and celebrated a traditional show.
The Coonalpyn Township is one of a few small towns dotted along Dukes Highway A8 on the way to Adelaide, with a population about 815 people. The Show started in the early 1940's to showcase the local produce and is the only show remaining in the Coorong District, people attend the show from afar such as Adelaide, Mt Gambier and other towns to visit a community run Country Show and Coonalpyn celebrating its 80th with classic sections including Jams & Preserves, Art & Craft, Knitting, Flowers/dress designed by using plants and flowers etc. There were so many activities in the large showgrounds such as horse events, a small train for children and numerous other activities. Throughout the day a Scottish band and popular music band played music. The weather held out and I was located in a pavilion; many of the children I sketched live in the nearby farms and told me this year was a particularly good crop session. Community groups such as the Lions Club have their sausage sizzle, hamburgers, donuts & chips to tempt the crowds and a Skin cancer check van.
I left Swan Hill then off to Donald Show on Sat 11th Oct. The regional roads were very poor; but the scenery with recent rains (wheat and canola crops) were a wonderful sight especially for the farmers that hopefully after the rain will bring a bumper harvest for them. The Donald show showcases talent of the area and old fashion country fun with loads of Kids activities and take home prizes. Much on offer at the show included horse events, pavilion products competitions, rides, and fireworks display on Friday night and much more. I was located in one of the Kids Zone area at a pavilion and children enjoyed their cartoon portraits to take home. I also visited the Kookas Biscuit Factory at Donald, Australian made and owned
Traveling from South coast NSW to Swan Hill via Gundagai was beautiful especially seeing the green hills this time of the year. Although a lot of people mentioned the dams were low and they needed follow-up rain. The Swan Hill 2 day show was packed full of country show features including rides and a Kids Zone where children and adults enjoyed their cartoon portraits to take home, a keepsake of the show day. The weather was a bit wild and it was a great to be located out of the winds and especially on Saturday a hot day. View advertising as follows: https://www.swanhillshow.com.au/events , https://theguardian.com.au/news/2025/10/04/free-kids-space-at-show/ , https://www.instagram.com/p/DOqN2DrimZE/ ,
To commemorate Henry Lawson, Grenfell hosts the annual Henry Lawson Festival June long weekend. Grenfell is situated in the Weddin Shire in central New South Wales, and is near Canberra, Dubbo, Bathurst and Wagga (approximately 2 hours from each town). Grenfell has maintained its character of historic buildings throughout the town. During the long weekend I sketched mainly children that enjoyed the festival and their cartoon portraits to take home.
