General News
30 June, 2026
Top show awards span ages
MARJ Potter, a stalwart organiser of the Boort Show, left the stage in Wangaratta on Saturday night with the Victorian Agricultural Shows award for outstanding individual contribution.
MARJ Potter, a stalwart organiser of the Boort Show, left the stage in Wangaratta on Saturday night with the Victorian Agricultural Shows award for outstanding individual contribution.
“I wasn’t prepared to receive the award - my society said I had no say in whether I would be nominated and I made a shocking speech,” Marj said.
““There were other finalists in the 60 and over category I thought would win.”
Fellow members of the Boort Show committee had told award organisers that Marj “has been at the heart of everything we do.”.
“Marj first became involved with the society in 1972, joining the ladies committee, and remarkably, she is still an active committee member today.
“Over the years, she has been a driving force behind so many key events, including the debutante ball and the wool fashion parade, serving as show secretary for 10 years and running the show office, including a temporary main street office for over 20 years,”
Marj said she had told the committee two years ago that it was time for her to retire. “They told me no.”
“So I am still there passing on knowledge and doing what I can,” she said.
“If you have knowledge and someone can’t ring you, there’s something wrong.”
Marj says her award at the annual conference and dinner of Victoria’s show societies - Boort is the only agricultural show in the Loddon Shire - was a surprise. “I was a bit in awe because there are so many people who could win it. There are a lot of people involved in shows around the state who are not even nominated,” she said.
But while Marj’s award has been applauded by many, she says it was another award for the Boort Show that was the most pleasing.
The ute show introduced in the program two years ago was named winner of the VAS innovation award.
Kobie Streader, Jett Hird and Nick Scott created the ute show as a way to bring people together, open up important conversations, and support one another.
By partnering with Headspace and HALT (Hope Assistance Local Tradies), they have helped create a safe space on the day to talk about grief, vulnerability, and mental health – making a real difference where it matters most.
The show society told award judges: “With over 50 ute entries, the event not only brought a fresh and exciting energy to the Boort Show, but also reached a whole new audience with a message of awareness, connection, and support.”
In the people’s choice award, Boort Show was placed fifth among the 10 finalists. The award was won by Donald.
Read More: Berrimal, Boort