Page 15 - Koi Net - On-Line Koi Magazine - Issue 36
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Set up of this massive event began on the Friday before
the Show, all the bins being placed in their requisite
positions – large or smaller depending on the size of Koi
entered by each exhibitor. This in itself was a mammoth
task, working out how many and what size bins to
THE WATER allocate then making a map for the layout! Also on
Friday, the crosswire was strung holding all the
TRUCK DULY Koinorbori and banners across the centre of the arena
ARRIVED, plus all other banners placed around the ground. Lastly,
the ‘piece de resistance’ of this year’s Show, the Torii
FILLING ABOUT Gate – constructed by Richard Davies – was erected.
Bright red, it looked wonderful! Artificial grass was laid
A QUARTER OF over some of the area inside the gate; TV screens
THE BINS (linkage coordinated by Adam Holden), tables and
chairs for the results team, the computers, printer and
the all-important tea trolley were set in place and the
weary team retired for the night only to start again on
Saturday to place the entry boards with all the Koi
photographs, air lines and potted palms around the
arena before the water truck arrived to fill the 84 bins.
Yes, 84! The final count of entries was 551 – a record for
any Australian Koi Show. After all the worries about
having insufficient entries to stage the Show in the main
The ‘piece de resistance’ would most definitely have Koi in the Show. Although arena at all, everyone was absolutely delighted with the
of this year’s Show, the any reputable judge is perfectly capable of judging their support hobbyists have given to this Show. So many
Torii Gate being constructed new exhibitors as well; bringing our grand total to 36,
by Richard Davies and own Koi fairly, alongside others, it has never been
his team. regarded as desirable and can cause unfavourable another record.
comment. To avoid this, great care was taken to allocate Also on Saturday, quite a few of the vendors began their
the three Sydney judges showing Koi, classes in which own set-up on the concourse above the arena. The
they had no entries at all. For example, Ian and I had no number of participants, mostly organised by Richard
Size 2 entries, so I was allocated this size as a starting Power, was very large this year, including not only Koi-
point. Kazuyo was allocated Size 1, while Gerard judged related items and Koi, but also bonsai, honey, fancy
Size 4. It was decided that the major awards should be goods plus small pets like birds and rabbits. I must say
initially judged by everyone, but by secret ballot, each at this point, Richard really deserves several medals
judge selecting two possible winners then placing their for all his work with the administration, finance and
voting slips in a ballot box to be counted by an organisation of the Show, vendors and the dinner venue
independent Show committee member. From this point, on Monday night. As Ian quite rightly said to me, he has
it was thought that the two judges without any Koi in the been a tower of strength.
Show – Allan Bennett and Lee Nguyen – would make
final selections. Good in theory, but on the day it did not To return to the Show set-up, the water truck duly
quite work out this way as Gerard & Kazuyo McDonald, arrived, filling about a quarter of the bins before having
with a potential Grand Champion A Koi entered into the to depart for more water. This unfortunately was the
Show, decided in the end not to participate in judging The water truck filling point at which proceedings went decidedly pear-
the bins before
the major awards at all, whilst I just stepped back where having to depart for shaped. The second truckload of water – taken from a
Ian and I had a possible contender (GC B award). more water. fire hydrant on the Equestrian Centre site came out
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