IT'S on again on Australia Day; Allora's own climax of elite waterfowl racing. No, we're not talking the living, breathing, highly pedigreed breeds shown by expert breeder Rebecca Gallaway.

Rather they are the yellow rubber type ducks. Allora's Ted Cowley has 400 ducks primed to peak on January 26 at the 16th Dalrymple Duck Race at the Allora Swimming Pool.

While duck races are held worldwide, in the interests of raising money for charities and other community organisations, the Allora event in aid of Allora Show Society Show Princess entrants has stood the tests of time.

Allora and Southern Downs residents rate the Dalrymple Duck Race up there with world-renowned events such as the annual Stockbridge Duck Race in Edinburgh, Scotland; the annual Freestore Foodbank Rubber Duck Regatta in Cincinnati, Ohio, the annual Aspen Ducky Derby at Aspen, Colorado and closer to home, the Great Brisbane Duck Race held on the Brisbane River each year to raise funds for the Princess Alexandra Hospital Research Foundation.

Allora Show Society committee member and duck race organiser, Mr Cowley introduced the novel event to Allora's calendar 16 years ago, in 1998.

The first Dalrymple Duck Race took place on Sunday, December 13, 1998, and featured 300 yellow rubber ducks traversing the challenges of Dalrymple Creek in Stuart Henry Park.

The current in the creek wasn't quite as brisk as needed to help the ducks along so members of the Allora Queensland Fire and Rescue Service provided some assistance with some high pressure water jets.

That initial duck race was held in support of Allora Showgirl quest entrant Kate Smith.

Mr Cowley and Allora Showgirl entrants Lauren Wilson and Katie Dennis will be busy selling tickets across January for 400 cute yellow ducks that will take to the Allora Swimming Pool on Australia Day.

Keep an eye out for Mr Cowley, Lauren and Katie outside the Allora Pharmacy on Fridays in January, or collect your tickets before the big races on Australia Day.

Two races will be held, starting at 3pm.

With the purchase of a $2 ticket community members can lay claim to a duck in the feature sprint event, and should that duck cross the finish line first the winner collects an easy $150, second place pockets $100 and a crisp $50 goes to third place.

The Dalrymple Duck Race has become an Allora district tradition that always attracts a crowd. The ducks no longer wind their way downstream on a 50m course in Dalrymple Creek with nature providing the momentum.

Past duck races in Dalrymple Creek were great spectacles, but the event didn't come without some chance of peril.

Nowadays the ducks do a lap of the Allora Swimming Pool with the help of a commercial-grade electric fan.

A move to the Allora Swimming Pool has provided a safer, more comfortable, venue for ducks and spectators alike.

Wattles Porker Sprints

The starter's gun on the second annual Wattles Magic Hundreds Porker Sprints will be heard over the Clifton Recreation Grounds on Saturday afternoon, January 18.

The event that will see a selection of porcine thoroughbreds stretch out over a six-race program in the Wattles Club's first major fundraiser for the 2014 rugby league season.

"We've got same some big-name pigs on the program that come with quite a reputation," Wattles president Aaron Scheid said, "and some handy local talent looking to put Allora/Clifton pork up in lights".

Mr Scheid said the focus of the Porker Sprints, aside from a fundraiser, was family entertainment and fun for all who wish to attend.

"Wattles may be hosting and arranging the event, but anyone who is looking for a great family afternoon out is welcome," he said.

While it isn't quite the race that stops a nation, the Wattles Magic Hundreds Porker Sprints may stop a few around the Central Downs. The Wattles Magic Hundreds Porker Sprints starts at 2pm, with a bar and canteen facilities operating.

The first race on the program will start at 3pm.

Competing pigs will be auctioned prior to each race, and the pigs will also be auctioned to sell after the race program is finished.

Inquiries regarding the exciting race day should be directed to Mr Scheid on 0458 204 550.

Allora Show on the horizon

On April 3, 1878, Mr Cooke, Deacon, Gordon and Kates started a movement which brought about the holding of a public meeting on June 4, 1878.

At the meeting Mr Kates moved and Mr Kelly seconded the following resolution: "that an agricultural and horticultural association be formed within the Allora and Spring Creek districts in connection with the Allora Ploughing Match Committee, to be styled the Central Downs Agricultural and Horticultural Association."

The motion was carried and through the years, the Allora Show Society Incorporated committee members have continued to improve the standard of the shows and the facilities, earning an excellent reputation for a fine, well-designed ground.

The show has something for everybody, and it's all happening again on February 7 and 8 at Allora Showground.

The 2014 show schedule can be viewed online at http://allorashow.org.au/schedules.htm.

Allora Show Society membership for the coming year is $40 for family membership (two adults plus children 16 and under) or $20 single membership (one adult or one adult plus children 16 and under).

Memberships also allows membership to the 2014 Killarney, Stanthorpe and Warwick Shows.

For further information regarding the 2014 Allora Show, phone president Shirley Cornhill on 0427 100 210 or the secretary on 0403 619 118 or 4666 3173, or email allora

showsociety@gmail.com

 Thanks for supporting the Around Allora column throughout the past year; a happy, healthy and prosperous new year to all.