Three awarded Murray Bridge Show life membership
Thousands have flocked to Murray Bridge’s agricultural and horticultural show in 2023, but just three received the ultimate honour from the association which runs it.
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Three long-standing volunteers have been awarded life membership of the Murray Bridge Show.
Michelle Thiele, Michelle Afford and Tamara Attrill were all recognised on Saturday at the 104th annual show.
Ms Thiele was born into the Gale family of sheep producers and breeders, and helped with their exhibits of white Suffolks at the show as early as the 1970s.
She began exhibiting her own poultry in 1981; started as assistant convenor of the yard dogs section in 1999 and has since organised – at various times – the grain and fodder, sheep, beef and home brew sections; entertainment; advertising; the young farmer’s challenge; and has served as the show society’s minute secretary.
“Michelle is known to many of us as a person that fills any gap or any job that needed to be done over the years,” show society president Carolyn Johnson said.
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Ms Afford, nee Braendler, grew up in a dairying family and started showing Boldview Ayrshire cattle as soon as she was old enough to lead them.
Her marriage to Billabong Holsteins’ Steven Afford “was like Murray Bridge dairy royalty coming together”, Ms Johnson said.
Since the 1990s she had modernised the show’s dairy section, provided constant support to her daughters with their own ambitions in dairying, and been a tireless advocate for the industry.
Ms Attrill spent her childhood helping her mother Helen steward the show’s cookery section and stepped up after her mother’s death in 2018, a year in which Murray Bridge hosted the state rich fruit cake championship.
“Tamara is a modern reflection of what the cookery section is all about, and who knows things the most … and who has worked very hard,” Ms Johnson said.
“I’m sure Helen would be very proud.”
Among the winners in the sheep section this year were Alan Lintern of Seymour Vale Suffolk Stud, Tungkillo, pictured with the grand champion Suffolk ram and Josh Wiltshire; Daniel and Helen Wright of Pebblestone Border Leicester Stud, Macclesfield with their grand champion ewe; and Lesley Brewer of Radstock Romney Sheep Stud, Strathalbyn with the supreme champion breeders group and Mr Wiltshire. Photos: Peri Strathearn.
Sunshine helped 2023 show go off without a hitch
Thousands flocked to Murray Bridge Showground over Friday and Saturday for this year’s show, basking in warm sunshine as they checked out the rides, food trucks, trade stalls and competitions.
Acts including the SA Police Band and locals Woolshed Road entertained the crowd throughout the two-day event.
Hundreds of children – and grown-ups – completed the Bunyip Trail, collecting free items from stall-holders and raising more than $2000 for Murray Bridge Little Athletics.
Plus, of course, prizes were won in countless competitive categories, which was the whole point of the event in the first place.
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