RIGHT ROYAL EASTER SHOW SUCCESS FOR JAMBEROO

ROSE maestro Collin Hollis has recorded his most successful year of competition at Sydneys Royal Easter Show, taking out three Champion titles, five first placings and a handful of second placings.

It is the third year Mr Collis has competed at the show.

The first year I entered I won absolutely nothing, said Mr Hollis.

The second year I got a couple of seconds and a third, so this year is by far the best yet.

Its been a learning experience.

Youre up against the very top competition and- you pick up things each time.

Mr Hollis said dry weather had hampered his preparation for the show.

The last real rain wed had was Feb 26th. I rely on my dams and my dams are dry.

Mr Hollis travelled to Sydney each day to compete, leaving home at 2am to ensure plenty of time for setting up his entries in preparation for judging.

Youve got to get up there early.

Ive be up working on my roses until 11 oclock at night and then driving up to Sydney at 2am.

Id commandeered one of the bathrooms at home because you need a cool, dark spot to work on them the night before.

Mr Hollis entered around 10 blooms in each day of competition.

Although its very competitive there is a really good atmosphere between competitors, said Mr Hollis.

People are actually quite helpful and its an enjoyable experience.

Another Jamberoo family to do well at the show was the Downes family.

Heifer Roo View Lady Josephine 173 picked up the Illawarra Reserve Juvenile Champion Female in the under 2 years category, after winning the under 12 month event at last years show.

Well keep her and hopefully breed from her one day, said dairy farmer Geoff Downes.

The Downes family association with the Sydney Royal Easter Show began back in 1947 when Mr Downes father first entered cattle.

You could say weve had a fair bit of experience, joked Mr Downes.

The McEvoy family of Jamberoo also recorded a couple of big wins at the show, collecting a reserve champion prize for their horse Elken Ruffian.

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