Remarkably, 19-year-old Aron Quinton (right) has been showing prized crested ducks and drakes or dogs at the Port Elliot Show since he was five, and he’s hoping his best mate Diego can fit the bill again.
Aron, of McLaren Vale, is right into the show mood again with the 130st Yankalilla Show on Saturday, October 6, the 143rd Strathalbyn Show on Monday, October 7, and the 136th Port Elliott Show over the Saturday and Sunday, October 12-13.
Don’t believe Diego is just an ordinary drake. Aron has bred thousands of white crested ducks and drakes, and said that he would be lucky to get one out of 60 that is hatched with a distinctive fluffy pom-pom on top of its head.
When we met Diego, the little fella was sitting by the heater drying himself in preparation for his photograph, and sat there until Aron’s mum, Deb, brought out the hair… er feather dryer. And after placing Diego on Aron’s shoulder for the first time, that’s all he wants to do now (sorry about that).
Aron, who works part-time as a thoroughbred racing stewart, said the white crested ducks and drakes were difficult to breed, but has always loved the challenge. He is also breeding araucana chickens, and frizzle chickens with feathers that curl outwards.
Rest assured, there will be plenty of other strange and wonderful looking fluffy friends in the ever-popular poultry exhibition enclosure at Port Elliot, along with the prized cattle and sheep. The equestrian horses will command their attention too.
The cake and scone competitions, the floral arrangement and needlework battles will be as keen as ever, along with the crafts of all kinds and photography exhibits, but as far as the young ones are concerned the Port Elliot Show is very much about the fast rides – and some very slow ones for the toddlers – popping table tennis balls down the mouth of ceramic clowns, and devouring far too many donuts and traditional toffee apples.
Our service groups including St John’s and the CFS, and countless volunteers representing clubs and associations who are given an opportunity to raise much needed funds, will be out in force.
Most of all, these country shows treasured family days – and there is a huge grassed area to turn it into a real picnic.
If you would like to purchase any of Aron’s new batch of special chicks when available from his McLaren Vale home you may contact him on 0412 412 827.