Victorian Winter Fair

22/07/2026

As we have reflected on the 2026 Victorian Winter Fair, it's become clear just how many incredible people have helped build this event into what it is today.

Among those who need to be acknowledged are the co-founders of the Victorian Winter Fair, Adam Dee and Rus Robins.

As members of the original founding team alongside Clare and Stu Modra, Adam and Rus have played an enormous role in shaping the Victorian Winter Fair over the years. Their dedication, commitment and countless hours behind the scenes have helped create an event that has become a highlight of the Australian dairy calendar.

In the weeks leading up to this year's Fair, Adam & Mark Dee's contribution, experience, practical knowledge and willingness to help provided invaluable support as the event was prepared for a new chapter. Once the final ribbons had been awarded and exhibitors had headed home, they tackled one of the biggest jobs of all, taking the events waste. It's a huge task that most people never see, but one that is essential to bringing an event of this scale to a close.

The Victorian Winter Fair has always been built on the generosity of people who are willing to roll up their sleeves, share their knowledge and simply get the job done. Adam, Mark and Rus are a wonderful example of exactly that.

As the Fair continues into its next chapter, it's important to acknowledge the people whose hard work has laid the foundations and who continue to support the event year after year. Their contribution has been instrumental in the success of the Victorian Winter Fair, and they are a valued part of its story.

Thank you, Adam, Rus and the Clydevale team for everything you have done, and continue to do, for the Victorian Winter Fair and the wider dairy community. 👏🐄

Clydevale Holsteins

20/07/2026

Our incredible judges working their magic ✨

𝗛𝗼𝗹𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗶𝗻 & 𝗝𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘆 𝗝𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲
Kevin Doeberiener

𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗝𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲
Julia Paulger

𝗝𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗷𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲
Kelly Bleijdendaal

08/07/2026

AROUND THE BARN: With Emily Robins from NATIONAL HERD DEVELOPMENT CO-OP. Thank you NHD for coming on board once again as the show’s major sponsor. They’ve been here since the beginning, please show the team at NHD some support.

07/07/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂!

As the dust settles on another incredible Victorian Winter Fair, we wanted to take a moment to simply say... thank you!

Events like this don't happen because of one person or one team. They happen because an incredible community of people generously give their time, skills, equipment, support and encouragement to bring it all together. We are so grateful to every single person who played a part.

First and foremost, thank you to Clare and Stu Modra - Avalon Holsteins. Your passion, vision and huge dedication over the past 12 years have created something extremely special for the dairy industry. It has been an absolute privilege to continue building on the incredible foundation you have established, and we thank you for entrusting us with the next chapter of the Victorian Winter Fair.

To our sponsors, thank you for believing in the Victorian Winter Fair and helping make the event possible. A special thank you to NATIONAL HERD DEVELOPMENT CO-OP for your Naming Rights Sponsorship, and to Cullen Marketing, Southern Stockfeeds and Pacific Vets for your support of the Show & Sales. We also extend our appreciation to every one of our supporting sponsors who contributed in so many different ways throughout the event, we will be shining a spotlight on you later this week.

To all of our cattle exhibitors, thank you. Your support and commitment are what make the Victorian Winter Fair what it is. A special thank you to Scott Robinson - Eastview Holsteins for going above and beyond, and to Mal Nikora - Winwood Holsteins for generously assisting with forklift and bobcat services throughout the event.

To our dedicated stewards, Andrew Chittick and Ben Minogue, thank you for your professionalism and for ensuring classes stayed on schedule and the ring ran seamlessly.

To our incredible judges - Kevin Doeberiener, Julia Paulger - Adadale Jerseys & Holsteins and Kelly Bleijendaal - Winwood Holsteins. Thank you for your professionalism. You all did an outstanding job!

The wonderful team at the Bendigo Agricultural Show Society: Ian, Larissa, John and Glen for your support.

A huge thank you also goes to the Bridgewater Football Netball Club and the Greater Shepparton City Council for lending us cattle panels. You arrived, rolled up your sleeves and powered through the setup and pack down of the cattle panels. We simply couldn't have done it without you!

To our amazing contractors who worked tirelessly behind the scenes: Power AV, Bendigo Party Hire, Mad Cow Cleaning, The MUNCH HUB and Donut Delights, thank you for helping ensure everything ran smoothly and keeping our tummies fed.

A special thank you to Acetec Contracting, Kevin O’Brien Excavations and Clydevale Holsteins for your generous support with waste management throughout the event. It's one of those jobs that often goes unnoticed!

Thank you to Shane for assisting with the ribbons, Toria for keeping the results running seamlessly, Amanda - More Than The Moo for keeping everyone informed on the microphone, Fiona Hanks Photography for capturing so many wonderful moments behind the lens, and Casey and Elsie for helping share the Victorian Winter Fair story with our wider community.

Finally, thank you to every volunteer, supporter, competitor, trade exhibitor, sponsor, judge, helper and attendee. Whether your contribution was large or small, visible or behind the scenes, you helped create an event that once again celebrated the very best of our dairy industry.

We're incredibly proud of what we achieved together and are already looking forward to welcoming everyone back for another fantastic Victorian Winter Fair next year!💙

06/07/2026

🔥 The HotCow TAG Sale – Thank You! 🔥

What an incredible sale! We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who helped make the 2026 HotCow TAG Sale such a success.

To our buyers, thank you for your confidence and support. We truly appreciate your investment in these genetics and wish you every success with your purchases.

A sincere thank you to all of our consignors for trusting us with your outstanding cattle and genetics. The quality on offer was a true reflection of the strength of your breeding programs.

Thank you to our Naming Rights Sponsor for your generous support, Pacific Vet and Genesis Industries Australia.

Finally, a special thank you to Dairy Livestock Services for their professionalism and hard work in conducting another successful sale. Your efforts behind the scenes are greatly appreciated.

We're incredibly grateful to everyone who supported the sale in any way, whether you bid in person or online, shared the catalogue, or helped spread the word.

Thank you for making the HotCow TAG Sale an outstanding success. We can't wait to see you at the next one! 🐄🔥

03/07/2026

AROUND THE BARN: With John Gardiner and W***y McKay, joint owners of the VWF 2026 Grand Champion Cow - Tomargo Recluse Door Apricot. A cow with a remarkable story.

02/07/2026

Memories were created and many dreams came true over the week at the 2026 Victorian Winter Fair. Below is a link to all the photos in High Res with no watermark captured in the ring by Fiona Hanks Photography.

Note: The High Res showmanship photos will be added in the coming days due to a computer screen issue. They aren't lost just hiding behind a broken screen....

This gallery hosted by SmugMug; your photos look better here.

02/07/2026

AROUND THE BARN: With Chad Gordon of Gorgala Holsteins - the owner and/or breeder of several Holstein Champions today. Including Intermediate Champion with Gorgala Lamba Rae, and the Grand Champion R&W with Gorbro Mirand Admire.

02/07/2026

AROUND THE BARN: With Kevin Doeberiener from Ohio, USA - our incredible judge of the VWF 2026.