By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
CASEY councillor Damien Rosario is proud to say the Doveton Show has people flocking to it from across Melbourne and even had a few suggestions for the Dandenong show.
“I spoke to Dandenong mayor Cr Sean O’Reilly about Doveton’s success – I suggested they take a look at the Doveton Show model to grow crowds,” Cr Rosario said.
The massive growth of the long-running Doveton Show has Rivergum Ward Cr Rosario feeling as proud as punch.
“According to the Doveton Show gate counters 27,277 visitors attended this year’s show, which is an increase of more than 5200 people on last year,” he said.
With 102 stalls and free entry into the Myuna Farm grounds Cr Rosario said the show was experiencing big jumps in numbers on all fronts.
“More than $14,000 was raised by local sporting clubs and organisations in just one day which is a big achievement and I think the main draw card for the show is the fact it’s free entry,” he said.
Cr Rosario said that with entry just a gold coin donation it meant families didn’t have to “break the bank” just to get in.
“The Doveton Show is not about making a profit – it’s about the community benefit not about the monetary benefit.
“A family from Werribee drove an hour and half to attend this year’s show because the Royal Melbourne Show was just too expensive,” Cr Rosario said.
Cr Rosario said the show positively highlights Doveton.
“The event shows that Doveton has some real passion and culture behind it, and when we have people who live so far out coming to spend a day in Casey it’s a proud moment.”
