What an unexpected treat it was to bump into our friends Gracia Haby and Louise Jennison (directly below, foreground) shortly after our arrival, and spend the rest of the day together. It couldn’t have worked out better if we’d planned it that way. We were blessed with perfect weather - and the very same was true of the company.
The other notable surprise of the day was bumping into my doppelgänger, artist Deborah Klein in the Spotlight Makers Pavillion. (Below, to my right). I’m a huge fan of her intricate paper sculptures, several of which are currently on display. Deborah, who is also based in Ballarat, is the 2026 Melbourne Royal Show Artist-in-Residence. I only noticed afterwards that, as true doppelgängers, we were both dressed in red and black.
(Photo credit: Gracia Haby).
For Shane Jones and I, the 2026 Melbourne Royal Show was one of the high points of the year. Thank you so much, Gracia and Louise for making it possible.
