How a sausage competition is pushing a country show into its next 100 years

Having survived two world wars, a depression and recent global pandemic, The Red Hill Show will celebrate 100 years of spotlighting the Mornington Peninsula in March.

While World War II closed the gates for six years, the show went on in 2021 in spite of COVID lockdowns. Arts, craft, baking and vegetable competitions were judged at a safe social distance and blue ribbons awarded online.

"We have to keep the show up to date, contemporary and meaningful to the local people," says Rebecca Davis, Red Hill Show's executive officer and one of the creative brains behind the event.

With a team of other volunteers behind them, Davis and assistant secretary Bree Lovell have transformed the show since coming on board in 2016 by changing the format and introducing new events – not to mention moving the showbags.

"The showbags used to be at the front gate," says Davis. "This is an agricultural show and the first thing people saw was all this plastic. So, we put them down the back with the amusements and brought our local heritage to the forefront."

Apples are one aspect of local history that Davis is keen to promote. Red Hill was once a large apple-growing area and the increasing popularity of cider has seen a small renaissance of the fruit in the region.

The Red Hill Cider Show – part of the Red Hill Show – is now the second largest cider-focused event in Australia. This year it will be held on June 7, however a cider masterclass will be an important part of the Red Hill Show in March.

Meanwhile, an apple pie competition has attracted about 40 entrants from across Victoria each year since launching in 2018. Contestants bake-off for a coveted blue sash and $500 prize money. Pies are judged live in front of the public.

"The judging is very intense and when it gets down to the finalists you could cut the air with a knife," says Davis.

Another highlight is the annual appearance of former Country Women's Association national president Noela MacLeod to judge the fruit cake competition.

"She is a remarkable woman who is able to slide in cheeky humour about cakes with soggy bottoms while advocating for the rights of women and families in regional Australia," says Davis, who is hoping visitors return to Red Hill's recreation reserve for this year's show after the cancellation of public programmes in 2021.

Agricultural shows across the country have been under financial strain for the past two years due to COVID restrictions on large-scale events. The federal government has recognised the social and commercial value of agricultural shows by announcing a $25 million grant fund in October to help struggling shows keep going.

"You can't underestimate the importance of agricultural shows in the regions," says Paul Mercurio, former dancer and actor, and local Mornington Peninsula councillor.

In 2022, Mercurio will also be head judge of the inaugural Red Hill Show Golden Sausage Award. From starring in the 1992 hit film Strictly Ballroom, the performer has worked on his own successful food-based TV show, Mercurio's Menu, and held sausage workshops at his local butcher in Somerville.

On March 12, Mercurio will return to the stage and judge more than 25 sausages to determine which snorker will take out the special hand-crafted Golden Sausage perpetual trophy, a winner's rosette and $500 cash.

"Sausages are great, the traditional food of workers," he says. "I'll be looking for an honest sausage that speaks of the quality of the meat and the technique with which it is made. I want to taste clean, fresh flavours. I'm not looking for novelty for novelty's sake."

Keeping the Red Hill Show fresh with drawcards such as the Golden Sausage is part of its ongoing success, says Davis.

"This year we also have the Horticultural Hangout," she says. "It's an outdoor area specialising in growing flowers and vegetables, and caring for country. COVID has really focused people's minds on growing and self-sufficiency."

Davis pauses before adding, "I still expect the most popular events to be the woodchop and Red Hill's heaviest pumpkin".

"Weighing starts at 1.30pm sharp and last year's winner came in at close to 20 kilograms."

The 2022 Red Hill Show will be held Saturday March 12 at Red Hill Recreation Reserve, Arthurs Seat Road, Red Hill. Visit redhillshow.com.au for tickets and more information.