A NEW $3.2 million shed, 2600 sheep undercover and record woolcraft entries could add up to the biggest Australian Sheep and Wool Show yet.
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Organisers hope the new pavilion at the Bendigo Prince of Wales Showground will see record entries across all competition categories and provide extra space for new exhibits at this weekend's event.
Australian Sheep Breeders Association president Peter Baker said the show aimed to showcase everything that was great about Australia's sheep industry.
"We'll have something for everyone, from housewife to the old farmer," he said.
"Another aim of the show is to narrow the gap between rural and urban.
"There's basically something different on every day.
"We also run an extensive junior program."
The 137th annual show, held in Bendigo since 2000, will have 345 trade sites and 496 fleece on display, as well as sheep from as far away as Queensland and Western Australia.
The smell of sizzling and roasting lamb will waft over from the Festival of Lamb's cooking demonstrations, while the show will also feature daily fashion parades.
Volunteers were busy setting up the main pavilion on Tuesday, including pens for more than 2000 sheep, complete with correct labeling for each individual entry.
The sheep will begin arriving on Thursday, with all in place ahead of judging on Friday morning.
Volunteers from the Lions Club of Eaglehawk were on site providing much needed barbecued sustenance for the show's volunteers, before setting up a stall for the weekend.
Club president Eddie Williams said the Australian Sheep and Wool Show was their biggest fundraiser for the year.
"We've been supporting the show since day dot, when the show first came to Bendigo," he said.
The Australian Sheep and Wool Show runs from Friday to Sunday.
The official Australian Sheep and Wool Show program will be included in Wednesday's Bendigo Advertiser.