Coastal group to make IMPACT with Perth Royal Show display

WANNEROO resident Alaric Korb has been putting together an interactive display for the coastal region in this year’s Perth Royal Show.

For its 2016 district display, the Coastal Group of Affiliated Agricultural Societies will highlight flower growers across its region, spanning from Mandurah to Gingin and Kalamunda to Boddington.

The group includes agricultural societies from Bindoon, Canning, Gidgegannup, Kalamunda, Kelmscott, Osborne Park, Swan View and Wanneroo.

This year’s display will be eight times bigger than in previous years, with the theme ‘Impact’ chosen to highlight how impacts on agriculture affect everyone.

Previously restricted to 34sq m, the UWA architecture student has designed an interactive walk through exhibit taking up more than 450sq m this year, incorporating a farming simulator, sandboxes and several media presentations.

The 22-year-old also developed the augmented app that premiered at the 2015 IGA Perth Royal Show, and has incorporated an expanded version of the augmented app for this year.

Mr Korb said one of the biggest challenges was to create an exhibit that incorporated leading edge technology with primary produce and offered a new experience to show patrons.

He chose the theme IMPACT to highlight that there are many aspects that affect agriculture, even our own purchasing choices.

The district displays in the Centenary Pavilion have been popular since their first appearance in 1927.

Taking a break in 1940 and returning again in 1967, the themed displays have been run as a competition among the affiliated agricultural society groups, with the coastal group winning seven major trophies in 2015.

However, this year the competition format has been removed and displays will feature in the Centenary Pavilion as ‘Walk Through WA’.

Coastal group co-ordinator Peta Korb said they were ecstatic about opportunities resulting from the removal of the competition rules.

“The displays have always essentially been about promoting our local produce and growers,” she said.

“The changes and expansion of our display has allowed us to not only show the produce but to also partner with local producers and growers to showcase aspects of their industries in ways not possible before. One of the industries highlighted this year is ‘floriculture’ – there are a number of growers within our region.

“We are really pleased to have the support of Floraco who not only supports these growers, but is also WA’s largest producer of quality fresh flowers. Show patrons will be in for a real treat with the display of beautiful locally grown flowers and we hope they also gain a bit of insight into the industry and their impact when purchasing flowers.”

The Perth Royal Show starts September 24 and runs through to October 1.