“The show is magnificent, and the show committee needs to be congratulated - and the foresight of people over 100 years ago when only one or two people might have been involved,” the 79-year-old said.
“The committee does an outstanding job, particularly when some other shows have struggled. A lot have fallen by the wayside.
“Our show is putting Yarrawonga and district on display. I also say thank you to everyone involved in the show and for the public support. The show is an opportunity to welcome new people to town.”
Leo will officially open the 142nd show, a two-day event starting this Friday evening, October 3. As a passionate show enthusiast, he’s eagerly anticipating his role in the opening ceremony.
“It’s a great privilege. It’s a great honour to be selected. I actually had the pleasure of opening the show in 2003,” Leo said.
“The show has evolved over the years from an agricultural type of show to a lot more to meet the bigger population’s wishes and attractions.”
In 1989, Leo brought his extensive vegetable farming expertise from Cheltenham to Yarrawonga, where he founded the impressive 730-hectare Kelly Bros vegetable farm encircling the historic Byramine Homestead.
A Royal Agricultural Society award winner in 2002, he has always taken an interest in community matters. In December 2021, he generously leased a small pocket of land to help complete an impressive tourism trail for the area.
A stretch of 500 metres was needed across a corner of the Kelly farm to connect an important stretch of the Yarrawonga to Burramine Cycling Walking trail, which travels right alongside the Murray River.
The 50-year land use lease signed between Moira Shire Council and Leo Kelly will ensure the trail becomes a major attraction for visitors and locals for years to come.
