IT IS show time in South East resident Margaret Douglas’ kitchen this week as she busily prepares to spread her love of jams and sweet treats at this year’s Mil Lel Show.
The seasoned show campaigner recalls travelling down a gravel road to a much smaller showground, attending what she believed was the inaugural Mil Lel Gymkhana and Show in 1938.
However, Ms Douglas’ love for the show season blossomed in 1958 as she won her first prize card for a scrumptious coffee cake.
“I first became involved in the show as a waitress, waiting on tables during afternoon teas,” she said.
“My mum helped out at the show and even though we shifted from Glenburnie to Mil Lel in 1954, we always went to the Mi Lel Show.
“Before the hall was built, they would cater out of tents and the horse events would be held in the area where the hall is now built.”
Awarded with Mount Gambier and Mil Lel A & H Show Society life memberships, Ms Douglas said she kept all the show cards she won over the years.
“I just like being involved and enjoy it,” she said.
“I was indoor secretary for 29 years and I helped a friend who was secretary before that.
“It is a different show to what it was and a lot of the time we miss out because when we have finished with the indoor section, everything else is already packed up.”
Ms Douglas said she first started entering just one item of food for judging at a time.
“It began as one and then grew to two, three and four entries as I began to enjoy it,” she said.
“I cooked all night maybe once or twice, but when you are taking entries on Friday night, setting up the hall and organising the event, you do not have time show week to be cooking.
“I have gone more into the jams because it is easy and you can do them months in advance.”
Ms Douglas said the show tied in well with her country and outdoors background.
“Since the show was first held at Olympic Park, I would sit at the fence and watch the horses,” she said.
“Dad did not show a lot, but when he did he showed potatoes, wool occasionally and grew a lot of pumpkins and bush marrows.
“I have known him to come home with a ute tray full of pumpkins and he would pick out the good ones and show them.”
Showcasing talent in the kitchen, Ms Douglas said she had entered her cakes in Adelaide competitions for more than 20 years.
“If you were lucky enough to win locally you could head to Adelaide as a finalist to compete, which was a great achievement,” she said.
“The one thing I do not like making is pavlovas and cream puffs.
“We always cooked with a slow combustion wood stove so it made it hard.”
One tip Ms Douglas had for people entering the show was to follow the competition brief.
“You can not go off and cook the way you want, you have to cook, judge and follow the schedule accordingly,” she said.
“I have judged at Millicent, Penola and Mount Gambier so if I judge I do not show.
“I have three granddaughters who I am encouraging to enter.”
Ms Douglas said she would continue her involvement with the show for as long as she could, upholding the position as the indoor section secretary assistant.
“I hope this year’s event will bring good weather and I am looking forward to seeing the entries come through the doors,” she said.
“Sometimes it is great to admire people’s hard work.
“If there is good weather, the flowers are usually more bright and there are nicer displays.”
This year’s show will be held on October 12 from 8.30am at the Mil Lel Memorial Park.
